Meet the Duo
Gena and John have a long musical and personal relationship going back to the early 1990's when they worked together as the band and choir directors at Walhalla High and Middle School. Their many years of teaching and performing together as well as their long-time friendship have created a duo that can bring an unparalleled talent, professionalism and entertainment to your special event.
John Fallon is a retired 40 year veteran choral teacher in public education having received degrees from Long Island University (BA Music Ed 1978), Clemson University (MA Educational Administration & Supervision) and Western Carolina University (MA in Choral Conducting 1992). During his career, John taught at James M. Brown Elementary, Walhalla MS, Walhalla HS and the Oconee County Adult Ed program teaching Pre-K through 12th grade in Music (Choral and Band), Drama, Public Speaking, Presentation Skills, Broadcast Journalism, Strategies for Success and Computer Technology PLUS Music Appreciation at Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton SC. In addition, John is a recognized Choral Clinician, Comic Book Historian, published expert on comic art, an accomplished conference presenter, a TEDX Speaker, an award winning competitive speaker, the Director of Music at St. Luke Methodist Church Walhalla and lead singer/ keyboardist for the local rock band Arphenia. John currently assists the Choral program at Walhalla Middle School.
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Gena Sykes retired in 2021 following twenty-nine years as the band director at Walhalla Middle School. Under her direction, the Walhalla Bands received Superior ratings at Concert Performance Assessment, earned the Outstanding Performance Award, received hundreds of superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble Festival and placed numerous students in Region and All State Bands. Under her direction, the Walhalla Band performed at festivals and venues across the eastern United States including the National Adjudicator’s Invitational, Festival Disney, The US Capitol, Gettysburg Battlefield and the “Remembering 9-11” Tribute concert at Lincoln Center in New York City in 2011.
A native of Winston-Salem, NC, Ms. Sykes earned dual bachelor’s degrees in music education and flute performance at Appalachian State University and received her Master’s Degree in Music Education while serving as a Graduate Assistant to the University of South Carolina Bands.
Gena lives in Walhalla, where she has a successful private lesson studio, teaches at local band camps, honor band and flute clinics and performs regularly in the Oconee Winds, College Street Baptist Church Orchestra. She also plays the Great Highland Bagpipe for memorials and special events.
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