Jessica Leighton | Band Director
Mrs. Leighton’s second year at West Johnston as the Head Director of Bands and as the Fine Arts Department Chair, following three years as the Assistant Director. Before joining the team, Mrs. Leighton started her teaching career at Toisnot Middle School in Wilson, NC, fostering a love for music through virtual band and general music classes.
While Mrs. Leighton has been at West, the Concert Ensembles have earned Superior Ratings at the NC Southeastern District “Music Performance Adjudication.” The Marching Band consistently earns high ratings at competitions, including a four-year streak of making Finals at the Havelock High School’s Crystal Coast Band Classic. The Varsity Color Guard eats great food while attending competitions when traveling with Chef Leighton.
Mrs. Leighton earned her Bachelors of Music Education from East Carolina University (Go Pirates!), Class of 2020. During her time at ECU, she played the Tuba in the Marching Pirates, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble, several chamber ensembles, as well as in the Concert Band on French Horn and Bassoon. Mrs. Leighton was the President of the ECU Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education during her Junior and Senior years.
On her (many...) days off, Mrs. Leighton enjoys camping and cooking. [Shameless Instagram Plug @wchef_leightonwj] She currently lives in Benson, NC with her wonderful wife, Vanessa, and their two cats, Willow and Coda. jessicaleighton@johnston.k12.nc.us
Elijah Collingwood | Assistant Band Director
Mr. Collingwood is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his Bachelor of Music. During his time at UNC, he performed in the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble. In the summers, he serves on the Administrative Team for Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps. Most recently, he worked as the Intern Project Coordinator, overseeing the corps' music education interns. He has also spent past summers as the Drum Major Technician for West Johnston High School.
Currently in his first year of teaching, Mr. Collingwood leads the Beginning Band—now the Concert Band. He also introduced a Bucket Drumming program for the Life Skills classes during West Success and served as the drum set player for the school’s 2025 musical, The Addams Family.
Previously, he completed his student teaching under Becca Clemens at Margaret B. Pollard Middle School. Outside of teaching he enjoys playing video games, collecting vinyls, and spending time with loved ones in Cary, NC. elijahcollingwood@johnston.k12.nc.us
Ari Moore | Percussion Director
Mr. Moore is on his fifth year on staff at West Johnston High School.
"Hello, my name is Ari Moore. I am a freelance musician and teacher, this is my seventh year teaching. I’ve been doing music since I was two years old, started in the church, and then when I started school started taking private lessons on piano. I did band when I was in high school, which led me to do independent groups, such as alchemy independent, and George Mason University and going to UNCP for music industry. I am very excited to be working with West Johnson, high school, bands, and ensemble's once again."
Robert Redfield | Percussion Instructor (Battery)
Robert Redfield graduated from Appalachian State University in May of 2021 with a BS in Psychology specializing in Education Studies. Robert is currently a freelance percussion instructor in the NC area, working with West Johnston High School, Green Level High School, and Enloe Magnet High School. Robert has also served as a battery staff member for Carolina Gold Drum and Bugle corps during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Robert’s marching experience includes Alchemy Independent, Carolina Gold, and the Appalachian State University Marching Mountaineers. Serving as quad section leader for a majority of his seasons. Outside of teaching Robert can be found streaming music and movies, practicing drums, or playing guitar with his band “Galloway”.
Using knowledge from his degree, Robert hopes to create a learning environment that students can benefit from on the field, and in the classroom.
Cailyn Goodman | Color Guard Director
More information coming soon!
Sydney Beasley | Visual Instructor
"I graduated from West Johnston in 2019, and this will be my third year on the team as a staff member! I've been playing saxophone for more than ten years, and bassoon for almost five. I marched saxophone with WGI Finalist Eva Winds. I also marched West's productions of Cloudscapes, Red White & Blues, Built on Ashes, as well as winter productions of What Dreams May Come, Misdirection, and Johnston County Alliance Winds' Into the Woodwinds. I currently live in Raleigh, NC, with my two cats Leela and Peebo, and in our free time we love to hang out on the couch drinking coffee and watching reality tv!"