Director of Bands

Tom has been teaching at Forsyth Central High School for 17 years.  During his tenure at FCHS, he has been the Director of Percussion Studies for the Percussion Studio and the Drumline. Tom arranges wind music and percussion music for FCHS, as well as other groups.  

During his tenure, the Flash of Crimson Marching Band has won numerous awards throughout the years including making finals for 3 consecutive years at the Bands of America Super Regional at the Georgia Dome, making Semi-Finals at the BOA Grand Nationals Championships.  

Tom also served as the Front Ensemble Co-Arranger and Percussion Consultant for the 2009 and 2010 Colts Drum and Bugle Corps from Dubuque, IA and is an alumni of the Corps.

Tom has directed the Forsyth Central Drumline to 7 WGI Scholastic World Finalist placements as well as an WGI Scholastic Open finish in 2005.

Tom graduated from the University of North Alabama with a degree in Music Education. He went on to complete his Masters degree through Lesley University in Educational Technology. Along with his work at Forsyth Central, Tom is in demand as an arranger, judge, consultant, and clinician for percussion programs in the Atlanta area and is an Education Artist for Promark Sticks and Mallets, Evans Drumheads and Pearl Drums/Adams Musical Instruments and Marching USA.

​Tom resides in Canton, GA, with his beautiful wife, Heather, and his sons, Brant and Cody.

Assistant Director of Bands

Mrs. Caputo-Rochester is so happy to join the Forsyth Central High School Band! Prior to her appointment as the Assistant Band Director at Forsyth Central High School, Mrs. Caputo-Rochester served as the Director of Bands at Dunwoody High School for the past four years. Before then, she served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Heritage High School for three years. Mrs. Caputo-Rochester led bands to superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation and Superior Ratings with the marching band. She also is the Director of the Atlanta Metro Youth Flute Choir and is a freelance musician in the Metro Atlanta area. Mrs. Caputo-Rochester graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia State University. While a student, she was principal flute in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and studied flute under Professor Sarah-Kruser Ambrose.

Mrs.Caputo-Rochester currently lives in Cumming, Georgia and enjoys working as a Fitness Instructor at LaFitness. She enjoys playing tennis in her free time with her husband & love having play dates with all her nieces and nephews.

Color Guard Director

Dakota Carter is the Director of Forsyth Central High School Colorguards, a competitive performance ensemble that creates future leaders and artists within the activity. Alongside his involvement with Forsyth Central, Dakota, is the founder of the non-profit independent winterguard organization “Eunoia”. Prior to his time at Central, he was the Director of Colorguards at Ringgold High School in Ringgold, GA, whose colorguard reigned as fall season champions for 6 consecutive seasons. Dakota’s personal spinning experience includes WGI 2019 World Finalist “Divenire Winterguard”, and 3-time consecutive CIPA Medalist “Gemini Independent.” Currently, Dakota, is completing his WGI Certification for the General Effect and Design captions with hopes to continue his path in adjudication. 

In addition to his position at FCHS, Dakota has designed, choreographed, judged, and consulted for several programs across the southeast.

-Creekview High School Canton, GA
-Helena High School Helena, AL
-TR Miller High School Brewton, AL
-Homewood High School Birmingham, AL
-Dade County High School Trenton,GA
-Zodiac Independent Chattanooga, TN
-Ridgeland High School Rossville, GA

Dakota finds pride in creating safe spaces that enrich performers’ lives, for all performers regardless of identity, race, and experience level. Using a hybrid teaching style, Dakota’s strengths lie in developing training and learning programs for any student regardless of how they learn. Patience, Confidence, and Excellence are the basic principles of his approach to teaching. Away from the Field/Arena, you can find him enjoying time with his pets, traveling the world with his spouse, and studying his craft.