Million Dollar Band
Bay High School Panama City, FL
Follow the Band on FaceBook and Twitter!
Nicholas C. Efstathiou, Director of Bands
Nicholas C. Efstathiou is Director of Bands at Bay High School, Panama City, Florida. A native of Panama City and Alumni (1998) of Bay High, he has been serving as Director of the award winning Million Dollar Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Rhythm Rocker Jazz Ensemble since the fall of 2006. Nicholas earned his Master's Degree from Troy University, where he studied instrumental music arranging with Ralph Ford, conducting with Dr. Mark Walker, and served on the board of Southeastern United States High School and Middle School Concert Band Clinic and Honor Bands. Earning a Bachelor's Degree from Troy University, Nicholas studied private tuba with Bob Mitchell and band techniques with Robert W. Smith. Throughout the southeast he has served as a tuba/brass clinician and had his arrangements for band performed by the Troy Band program as well as numerous high school programs. Nicholas' professional memberships include National Band Association, Music Educator National Conference, Florida Bandmasters Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, FarmHouse Fraternity, Omicron Delta Kappa, among others. He was selected Bay High's Teacher of the Year for the 2009-2010 school year, and elected to Bay District School's Top Five Teacher of the Year.
Kelly S. Efstathiou, Auxiliary Coordinator/Majorette Coach
A native of Hazlehurst, GA and Alumni (2003) of Jeff Davis High
School, she is currently the managing member / designer for
Nic-Kel Designs Online. Kelly earned her Bachelor's Degree in Design, Technology and Industry as well as a music industry contract from Troy University. While pursuing her degree, she was a Sound of the South majorette for 4 years, serving as captain her last year, a Troy University Basketball Dancer as well as a Trojan Softball player for one year. She also played flute in the symphony band for 4 years. Kelly is currently the auxiliary coordinator for the Bay High Million Dollar band, the majorette coach for the Tornado Twirlers, and a member of the staff/design team for the Bay Breeze Winterguard unit.
Johnathan Soyka , Color Guard/Winterguard Instructor
Jonathan Soyka graduated from Bay High School in 1997 and is an alumnus of the "Million Dollar" band. During his freshman year, he traveled with the band to New York City and had the fantastic opportunity to play the french horn at Carnegie Hall. During his junior year, he was vice-president of Etude, mellophone section leader and marched with the indoor drumline. During his senior year, he was president of Etude, mellophone section leader and marched in the show "Rituals of Blue" with Bay Breeze Winterguard.
After graduation, he briefly attended the University of Minnesota. He completed cosmetology school in 2000 and has been a licensed Cosmetologist for the past 8-1/2 years. His profession has taken him to many localities including, Birmingham, AL., Reno, NV., and Tampa, FL. He is now enrolled full time at Gulf Coast Community College. After graduation, he plans to attend Troy University or the University of Florida, with the challenging goal of becoming a Radiologist.
He is completely enthusiastic about the opportunity to help the Bay High "Million Dollar" band in any way possible, and to be a part of the Bay High Band family once again.
