Director of Bands

Dustin Hicklen is currently the Director of Bands at Escambia High School in Pensacola, FL. A graduate of Sparkman High School (AL) he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL. He currently teaches the Symphonic Band and Jazz A, co-teaches the Marching Band and Concert Band, supervises Eurhythmics (Color Guard) and teaches Guitar.

Mr. Hicklen was a performing member of several different ensembles throughout his college career at Jacksonville State. He marched 20J with the Marching Southerners, played tuba for JSU’s Chamber Winds, Wind Ensemble, and Symphonic Band, played 20J with the JSU Pep Band: Hardcorps while also serving as section leader, and played bass with the JSU Jazz Band and Jazz Combo. He also marched with Spirit Drum and Bugle Corps in 2006 and 2007 on contra. Mr. Hicklen has remained an active performing tubist and bassist, performing with various local groups and musical productionss around the Pensacola area. 

Mr. Hicklen is a member of the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and International Tuba Euphonium Association.

Dustin, his wife Ashley and his sons Tristen and Julian and his Boxers Cara and Mando reside in Pensacola, Florida. 

Assistant Director of Bands

Skyler McLeod is the assistant band director at Escambia High School. She directs the Beginning band and Jazz B, co-teaches the Concert Band and Marching Band, and teaches a Music Technology and Sound Engineering course. 

Ms. McLeod is an Escambia alumna, having graduated in 2018. As a student she played flute, piccolo, and bassoon, and was a member of the Diamonds indoor drumline in 2017. Ms. McLeod attended the University of West Florida, earning two bachelor degrees in Music Education and in Flute Performance. She participated in the UWF Symphonic Band as principal flute, various chamber ensembles, and flute choir. She was also a dedicated member of the Argo Athletic Band, joining in its inaugural year. She served as flute section leader and as head drum major for the 2021 and 2022 seasons. 

Ms. McLeod began her teaching career at Warrington Preparatory Academy in 2023. There she served as band director for beginning and advanced middle school students. Ms. McLeod is proud to be back as assistant director at her alma mater.

Co-Director of Colorguard

Brittney Britt

Co-Director of Colorguard

Whittney Britt

Battery

Tyler Martin is currently a percussion instructor and arranger at Escambia High School, where he has been since 2022. His previous marching experience includes four years playing bass drum and tenors for the Pride and Diamonds Indoor Percussion Ensemble, with whom he earned 4 GCGPC gold medals, 4 top three finishes at the WGI Mid-South Power Regional, and an appearance in WGI Finals in 2015.

Previously, he had the opportunity to return to Escambia after graduation as an upper battery tech under Terry Sanders from 2015-2017.

Mr. Martin received his degrees in English and Philosophy from the University of West Florida in 2019. He is currently employed as an English teacher in Escambia County School District.

When not at rehearsal, Mr. Martin spends time with his girlfriend, Jennifer, and cats, Sunny D and Mochi, and continually seeks to improve his craft.

Front Ensemble

Holly Phillips is currently the Front Ensemble Instructor at Escambia High School in Pensacola, Fl. She graduated from J. M. Tate Senior High School and is currently double majoring at UWF for her Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. She currently teaches the Front Ensemble for Marching Band along with doing Indoor Drumline for the GCGPC circuit.

Ms. Holly has been involved in many different groups starting with being in Tate's Jazz1 and Wind Ensemble all four years playing String Bass and Bass guitar. When marching season came around she was Center Marimba in Front Ensemble along with being Section leader for two years. Ever since graduating she has been playing Bass with the UWF Jazz band along with doing performances downtown with small groups. She plans on auditing for either WGI or DCI here in the upcoming future. 

Holly, her family, and pets Scooter and Atlas reside in Pensacola, Florida.

Visual and Cymbals

Erik Mitra currently serves as the visual and hornline technician for the Escambia High School Band and cymbal technician for the Diamonds Indoor Drumline in Pensacola, FL. Since graduating from Escambia High School in 2019, Erik is currently working towards his Bachelors of Arts in Music Education at The University of West Florida in Pensacola, FL. 

Erik was a 4 year member of the Escambia High School Band playing trumpet, french horn, and cymbals for the Diamonds Indoor Drumline. After graduation, he has been a part of several ensembles in the Gulf Coast! He played trumpet for the Pensacola State College Symphonic Orchestra and jazz band. In 2019, Erik was selected to play for the Florida Southern College WInd Ensemble where he also played trumpet. He also marched with Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps in 2018 on cymbals. Erik is an active performer with multiple groups around the Panhandle. 

Erik is a member of the Naval Air Station Morale Welfare and Recreation, National Association of Realtors, Pensacola Association of Realtors, and Emerald Coast Association of Realtors

Erik and his Yorkie Seavine currently reside in Pensacola, FL