Raider Band Staff:
Our music faculty is always here to talk with you and your child. If you ever have a question or concern for us, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an e-mail. We will get back with you at our first opportunity. Working together, we can accomplish great things!
Mr. Emmerson Young III
Director of Bands
Mr. Emmerson Young III is a native of Miami, Florida, and product of the Miami-Dade County School System. Mr. Young graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Florida A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. While matriculating through Florida A&M University, Mr. Young served as Saxophone Principal Section Leader in FAMU’s Incomparable Marching 100, president of FAMU’s National Association for Music Education Collegiate and performed with the Florida A&M University Wind Symphony.
Mr. Young graduated from Florida State University with master's degree in music education.
Following the completion of a successful student internship at James S. Rickards High School, Mr. Young returned to James S. Rickards High to serve in an assistantship capacity.
Mr. Young was appointed as Director of Bands and Instrumental Music at Rickards in 2021. His duties at Rickards include facilitation and instruction of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Orchestra, Guitar, AP Music Theory, and a plethora of other chamber ensembles.
Mr. Malik Woodson
Associate Director of Bands
Mr. Malik Woodson is a Tallahassee native and proud graduate of James S. Rickards High School, Class of 2016. A lifelong musician, educator, arranger, and show designer, he is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences that inspire excellence both on and off the field. Mr. Woodson's love for music began at the age of eight when he joined the Boys Choir of Tallahassee, where he traveled extensively and performed alongside and for distinguished leaders and entertainers, including President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, and Tyler Perry. In addition to music, he trained in dance and further developed his performance background through experiences with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. As a student at Rickards High School, Mr. Woodson was a four-year member of the marching and concert bands, performing on euphonium and serving as section leader during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He was also a member of the band's show planning committee, where he developed an early passion for choreography, visual design, and halftime production.
Mr. Woodson earned his Associate in Arts degree from Tallahassee Community College before completing his Bachelor of Science in Music Education at Florida A&M University. He began his professional career at Rickards High School in 2018, initially serving in the school's Information Technology and Security Department before joining the band staff under the direction of Mr. Jeremy George as Assistant Dance Coach and Band Staff Member. In 2021, he was named Creative Director of Bands, where he became responsible for the creative vision of the program through halftime productions, choreography, visual design, and overall show development.
Following his time at Rickards, Mr. Woodson served as Director of Bands at Stone Mountain High School in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he led the rebuilding of the school's band program while overseeing all aspects of concert and marching band instruction, recruitment, leadership development, and program administration. Now returning to Rickards High School as Associate Director of Bands, Mr. Woodson brings valuable leadership experience and a continued passion for music education. In his role, he serves as the primary arranger for the marching band, designs and coordinates halftime productions, and works collaboratively to develop student musicians into confident performers and leaders. His educational philosophy centers on discipline, creativity, precision, and the belief that excellence is achieved through consistent preparation and purposeful performance.
Ms. Joy Williams
Color Guard Coach
Joy R. Williams, Royal Jewels Color Guard Coach, is a native of Tallahassee, FL and a proud alumna of Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Joy is also a proud graduate of James S. Rickards High School, class of 2005. She has served as the color guard coach since 2010 and has assisted the band auxiliary in receiving multiple Superior ratings at Music Performance Assessments and Solo & Ensemble Performances. Joy attributes her strong passion for band and the arts to her past experiences including being a former clarinet player in the James S. Rickards High School Marching and Symphonic Band during all four years of high school, a former viola player, a former dancer with the African Caribbean Dance Theatre, a former member of a liturgical dance team, amongst many others. Joy is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she has held numerous leadership positions and is the owner of a public relations and event planning company, The PREP Circle, LLC. She counts mentoring, event and show planning, creating, and choreography as a few of her many talents.