Mike Aymett
A veteran teacher of 24 years, Dr. Aymett has spent the past 20 years as band director with the Riverdale Band. A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Mike earned the Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Middle Tennessee State University and a Doctorate in Education from Carson-Newman University.
As a saxophonist, Dr. Aymett performs in numerous styles, from classical to latin and jazz. Mike has previously taught in Nashville and at Mt. Pleasant High School, where he served as Director of Bands for three years, teaching grades 5-12. During his tenure at these schools, students distinguished themselves in both concert and marching performances.
Professionally, Dr. Aymett has served as coordinator for the Rutherford County Honor Bands, chairman for the MTSBOA Honor Bands, Performing Group Auditions Chair for the TMEA Conference, MTSBOA Executive Board, and the MTSU Band of Blue Club Board of Directors. He was Equipment Chairperson for the 2000 & 2001 TMEA Conference, and served on the host committees for the 2002 National MENC Conference and 2009 ASBDA Conference in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Aymett is a member of the Tennessee Music Education Association, National Association for Music Education, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu International School Bandmaster Fraternity, the American School Band Directors Association, and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity.
Nick Efstathiou
Mr. Efstathiou joins the Riverdale Band after previously serving as Band Director at Jeff Davis HS (GA) and Bay HS (FL).
Band Staff
Amanda Jones
Amanda Jones joined the Riverdale Band staff in the fall of 2010 and shortly thereafter joined the science faculty at RHS. In addition to her classroom duties, Ms. Jones oversees the Color Guard and Winter Guard program at Riverdale. Under her expert instruction, Guard members have achieved at an extremely high level, earning the Gold Medal at the 2017 and 2019 SCGC Championships.
Ms. Jones is also the Director of the independent class Eklipse Winterguard.
Caleb Littleton
Caleb Littleton is a music teacher and percussionist in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was a music specialist at Salem Elementary from 2019-2022 and will serve as the commercial music teacher and percussion director for Riverdale High School. As a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, he has previously taught Western Kentucky University‘s Big Red Marching Band Drumline, Tullahoma High School Drumline, Rockvale High School Drumline, and Stewart’s Creek High School Percussion. His musical interests include playing drum set, marching percussion, concert percussion, and music technology. He can be found regularly playing drums for LifePoint Church where he serves as a deacon with his wife Mikaela. Outside of music, he spends his time with his puppy, Gracie, and loves to learn new hobbies like speed cubing.
