Jennifer Merry grew up in Concord, NC and attended Concord High School. She graduated from UNC-Charlotte in 2004 with a Bachelor's in Music Education and is currently working on her Master's degree in School Administration and will be completing this program in May 2023. 

During high school, Ms. Merry played the horn and participated in All-District Band and Western Regional Orchestra. While at UNC-Charlotte, Ms. Merry participated in the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Brass Quintet, Orchestra, University Choral and Vocal Jazz. 

Ms. Merry has one daughter who has just graduated from UNC-Charlotte as a legacy student. 

This will be Ms. Merry's 6th year in the classroom and her first year at HiRMS. She is extremely excited about joining the Hickory Ridge Band family and work with the amazing musicians here. Ms. Merry is a member of NAfME (National Association for Music Eduation) and WBDI (Women Band Directors International).

Nicholas Carl is the associate director of bands at Hickory Ridge Middle School. He is currently in his second year of public-school teaching. Prior to his involvement at Hickory Ridge, he was the associate director of bands at Cuthbertson High School, as well as assisted at Cuthbertson Middle School. During his time at Cuthbertson, the bands received straight superior ratings at MPA, as well as multiple awards and recognitions in concert band, marching band, and middle school percussion ensemble. 

Mr. Carl received his bachelor’s degree in music education from UNC Charlotte. During his time at UNC Charlotte, he performed frequently as principal trombonist with the wind ensemble, orchestra, trombone ensemble, and marching band. Additionally, he was a contracted member of the Madison Scouts and Carolina Crown drum and bugle corps, as well as a section leader of the “Pride of Niner Nation” Marching Band. Mr. Carl holds professional memberships in the National Band Association (NBA) and National Association of Music Education (NAfME).