2010 Instructional Staff

Nola Jones - Director

Dr. Nola Jones is the Director of Bands at the University of Tennessee Martin. Prior to her appointment at UT Martin, she served as the Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Northern Arizona University. A native of Mississippi, Dr. Jones has enjoyed a successful career as a middle school and high school band director in Mississippi and Tennessee. Dr. Jones received the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mississippi State University and the Master of Music Education degree from Mississippi College. She received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in wind band conducting from the University of South Carolina where she was a student of Dr. William J. Moody.

Dr. Jones serves as an active adjudicator and clinician for Bands of America, Drum Corps International, and Winter Guard International. Dr. Jones' professional affiliations include Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Music Educators Association, West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, Phi Beta Mu, Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma, and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Andy Cook

Andrew is currently in year sixteenth as Associate Director of Bands at Carmel High School in Carmel Indiana. His duties include co-conducting the Marching Band, Wind Symphony I, II, and III, Jazz Ensemble II, and Basketball Pep Band, and he assists with various levels at Clay, Creekside, and Carmel Middle School Bands. The Carmel Marching Greyhounds have been Bands of America Grand National Finalists since 1997 and Grand National Champions in 2005 as well as Indiana State Champions in 1990, 2001and 2002. Carmel Wind Symphony I performed in December 2005 at the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL. All five of the concert bands consistently receive division I ratings at ISSMA Concert Band Festival. In addition to teaching at Carmel High School, Andrew taught eight years in Frederick County Maryland at Brunswick and Catoctin High Schools respectively, and was department chair as well as band and choral directors at both schools.

Andrew has been an active music judge for Drum Corps International (DCI) where he has judged finals week the past three years, Bands of America, and also a freelance adjudicator throughout the country. He also was the drill designer for the 2005 Southern California Group V Champion Carlsbad High School Marching Lancers, Carlsbad California and is currently writing drill for Ravenwood HS, TN and Concord HS, IN. In addition he has been on the Bands of America Summer Symposium Staff for the Marching Band Track since 2003.

Andrew is a 1986 graduate of Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana and was a member and an officer of the Delta Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is also in the Who’s Who among American Teachers. Along with his regular teaching duties he teaches low brass lessons in the Indianapolis area and has anywhere from 15 to 20 students a year.

Andrew has two wonderful daughters, Bailey a senior (French horn) at Carmel High School and Makenna (oboe) in seventh grade at Clay Middle School.

Martin Dickey

A native of Bristol, Virginia, and graduate of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Mr. Dickey is currently in his 17th year as Director of Bands in Fort Mill, South Carolina. He earned a Master’s Degree from Southern Oregon University through the American Band College in Ashland, Oregon, and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Mr. Dickey taught at David Crockett High School in Jonesborough, Tennessee for 9 years and Fort Mill High School for 13 years.

In the fall of 2007 he became Director of Bands at the new Nation Ford High School in Fort Mill. Bands under his direction have received numerous state, regional, and national awards at marching and concert events, including the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence and Certificate of Merit. For the past 25 years, bands under Mr. Dickey’s leadership have performed at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta, Georgia, the Hula Bowl and First Night Celebration in Honolulu, Hawaii, the Lord Mayor’s New Year’s Day Parade in London, England, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, and for the National Football League’s Carolina Panthers.

Mr. Dickey is active as an adjudicator, clinician, drill designer, and consultant in the United States and Europe, serves on the board of Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, and is President of the South Carolina Band Directors Association. His professional affiliations include the South Carolina Band Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

Wayne Dillon

Wayne Dillon holds a Masters degree in Jazz performance from The University of Miami (FL). At Miami, Wayne worked as a graduate assistant for the University Marching Band and Basketball Bands. During his time with the UM Marching Band, the football team won the National Championship. Wayne completed both his Honors Fine Arts and Education degrees from York University in Toronto, Canada. 

Wayne is currently the Director of Bands at the Upper Academy High School in Elizabeth NJ. His teaching responsibilities include Music Theory and History, along with Jazz, Symphonic, and Marching Band. The Elizabeth HS Symphonic and Jazz bands have consistently earned superior ratings during Wayne’s tenure, and the Marching Band was awarded three consecutive State Championships from 2005-2007. In 2007, the Marching Band was awarded the Northern States championship, besting bands from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. That same year, Wayne was awarded the Artistic and Cultural Excellence award from the Superintendent of schools Pablo Munoz.

The Bands from Elizabeth High School have performed regularly along side the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, The Gramercy Brass, and professional musicians and clinicians from New York and the surrounding area.

Wayne is an active adjudicator for Drum Corps International and Bands of America. He has judged the prestigious National championships for both organizations over the past twenty years. Wayne provides music clinics for Conn-Selmer, musical instruments and has traveled to Canada, Japan, and Europe to promote music education.

Wayne is currently in his third year as Music Coordinator with the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps from Boston Mass. He manages a music staff of twenty teachers who help create a summer musical touring ensemble. He has also worked on the music staff of the nine-time world champion Cadets of Bergen County NJ. Wayne served as the music supervisor in 2002.

As a performer, Wayne has played with The Studio Jazz band and the Art Blakey jazz ensemble from the University of Miami. Outside of school, Wayne has performed and recorded with; Jeff Healey, Albert Collins, KC and the Sunshine Band, Al Chez (from Dave Letterman band), The Meteors, and The Hamilton Philharmonic. He currently plays with the Don Mayer Band.

In 2008, Wayne was awarded the State of New Jersey Governor’s teacher recognition award for his work with the music program at Elizabeth High School.

André Feagin

André Feagin is a conducting student of Eugene Migliaro Corporon and a Doctoral Conducting Associate in the Wind Studies program at the University of North Texas. At UNT he assists with all aspects of the Wind Studies program. 

Mr. Feagin holds the Master of Music degree in instrumental wind conducting from the University of Memphis and the Bachelor of Music degree in performance. Prior to his arrival at UNT, Mr. Feagin, a Golden Apple Teacher award winner, served as Director of Bands at Watkins Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts in Memphis, TN. Under his leadership, the band program consistently received superior ratings and grand championships in the areas of concert and marching band. As a conductor, he has made appearances in over 15 states, and made his professional conducting debut with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America in 2004. He is a past winner of the National Band Association Young Conductors Mentor Project. His teachers include Kraig A. Williams, James Gholson, Denise Gainey, and Steve Cohen. He has participated in masterclasses with Frank Wickes, James Keene, Michael Votta, Andrew Boysen Jr., Scott Wright, Richard Stoltzman, Mark Spede, Craig Kirchhoff, Kevin Geraldi, John Locke, and Kevin Sedatole, and has done additional study in conducting with Maestro Frederick Fennell. He continues to be in high demand as a guest conductor, and travels regularly as a clinician/lecturer throughout the United States.

Mr. Feagin is also an active clinician, program coordinator, adjudicator, and music arranger for some of the country's finest high school and university band programs. He is currently the brass caption head for the six-time World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps from Santa Clara, CA, after having served as ensemble specialist during the 2008 season. In 2007 he served as executive director, brass caption head, brass arranger, and program coordinator for the Division III World Champion Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps. In addition to winning the visual, high brass, and percussion captions, Drum Corps International named him Division III Director of the year. Prior to his appointment at Memphis Sound, he served on the brass faculty for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He is a former four-year conductor of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and is the recipient of the DCI Jim Jones Leadership Award. He maintains active memberships in the National Association for Music Education (MENC), West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (WTSBOA), Tennessee Music Educators Association (TMEA), Tennessee Bandmasters Association (TBA), National Band Association (NBA), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA).

Jon Henson

Jon Henson is the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Western Carolina University. Some of his primary duties are to instruct and arrange for the rhythm section, or "Soul Train," and serve as the primary instructor for the front ensemble. Some of Jon's other duties include the management of all aspects of the "Pride of the Mountains" Electronics as well as developing media for the band program. He also works with the "Pride of the Mountains" two “Cathouse Bands.” Within the School of Music Jon teaches courses in Music Technology. During the spring semester he serves as Director of "Electric Soul." This ensemble consists of Vocalist, Horns, and a full Rhythm Section performing music from the 70s to the music of today! Outside of the "Pride of the Mountains" Jon is a sought-after percussion writer, adjudicator, and instructor for bands across the South East. He earned both his BSEd and MAEd degrees in music from Western Carolina University. Jon is a member of MENC, PAS, CBDNA, and is a Vic Firth Percussion endorsed artist.

Jo Ann Hood

Jo Ann Hood is a native of Columbia, Tennessee and a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Instrumental Music. She received her Masters of Arts in Education from Cumberland University in 1996. Beginning her teaching career in 1972, she has served as Band Director at Giles County High School, Wright Junior High School, Bellevue Junior and Senior High Schools and Hillwood High School. She is presently in her twenty ninth year as Director of the John Overton High School Band.

Miss Hood is Past President of the Tennessee Music Educators Association, the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association, the Tennessee Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu National School Bandmasters Fraternity. She served as State Chair for the National Band Association for three years, as High School Representative for two years, and as Southern Division Chairperson on the NBA Board of Control for two years. She holds membership in the Tennessee Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, National Band Association, American School Band Directors Association, Tennessee Education Association, National Education Association, and Metropolitan Nashville Education Association. She is a member of Delta Omicron, Kappa Delta Pi and serves as Executive Secretary-Treasurer and President of Phi Beta Mu National School Bandmasters Fraternity.

In 1981, 1984, and 1986, Miss Hood served as Chairperson of the Tennessee All-State Band and as All-State General Chairperson in 1989. She has served on the Executive Boards of TMEA and MTSBOA. She is currently on the Marching Band Advisory Board for Bands of America, serves on The Jury for the John Phillip Sousa Foundation Sudler Shield, and is Exhibits Chairperson for the Tennessee Music Education Association Conference. In 1985, 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2001 Miss Hood was a recipient of the National Band Association's Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence and in 1986 she was inducted into the Middle Tennessee State University Band of Blue Club Hall of Fame. She was selected as an outstanding Young Woman of America in 1987 and was a recipient of the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence in 1988, 1990, 1996, and 2003. She was awarded the Scroll of Excellence for Outstanding Contribution to Bands and Band Music by the Women Band Directors National Association in 1991, received the Sudler Order of Merit of the John Phillip Sousa Foundation in 1988 and 1992, and has been selected to the Who's Who Among American Teachers on two occasions. She is a 2005 inductee into the National High School Band Directors Hall of Fame and in 2006 was selected to the Who’s Who of American Women. She serves extensively as an adjudicator and clinician of Marching and Concert Bands.

Tim Pierce

Tim Pierce, a graduate of Booneville (MS) High School, holds degrees from Northeast Mississippi Community College, The University of Southern Mississippi, and Mississippi College. He is a former marching member of The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps as well as a proud member of The Cavaliers Anniversary Corps 888.

He taught at Crystal Springs (MS) High School helping the band receive their first superior ratings in nineteen years. He then taught seven years as adjunct faculty at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, MS culminating in a 1989 appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the first appearance for any Mississippi band since 1970.

His judging experiences have taken him into twenty-one states. He’s worked for the Gulf Coast Judges Association, The New York Federation of Judges, and he’s worked at the regional level for Bands of America. He also served on the traveling panel of Winter Guard International for 11 years working as movement caption facilitator for a portion of his tenure.

In 1995 he resumed the role of teacher/consultant with Greenville (MS) High School for their appearance in the 1995 Pasadena Rose Parade. He was the visual coordinator for the 2001 and 2002 Mississippi Lion’s All-State Band. In 2004 he re-entered the Bands of America arena with Cordova (TN) High School helping them achieve their first BOA division one rating and place in finals at the St. Louis Super Regional. The success with Cordova aggressively thrust him back into the competitive marching band arena. In the past five years he’s worked as visual and/or program coordinator for bands in Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee and Kentucky. He was visual coordinator for 2006 Mississippi 5A State Champion Tupelo High School and program coordinator for 2008 Mississippi 3A Runner-up Lewisburg High School, 2008 Mississippi 4A State Champion Ridgeland High School and 2008 Mississippi 5A State Champion Southaven High School. In addition to his work with high schools he has programmed shows for The University of Mississippi, The University of Memphis, and Itawamba Community College as well as consulted with Dr. Nola Jones at The University of Tennessee at Martin.

He currently resides in Memphis, TN where he works at his “real job” as owner of Signature Designs, Inc., an appointment only interior design studio.

Jeff Prosperie

Staff Sergeant Jeff Prosperie arrived to the West Point Band as a member of the Hellcats in December of 2006. In addition to his duties as a Hellcat, he also performs with the percussion ensemble, steel band, and concert band. Prior to this position at West Point, he served as Director of Percussion Studies at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, principal percussion with the Baton Rouge Symphony, and as the percussion designer/caption-head for the World Champion Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps. Jeff is a World Snare Drum Champion and is the only individual to capture the “triple crown” of solo competition (DCI, PAS, DCA). He actively serves as a championship level adjudicator for DCI and as a marching percussion committee member for PAS. Jeff earned his BMEd from LSU, his MM from The University of North Texas (UNT), and has completed all course work for the DMA at UNT. Jeff has performed, presented clinics, and adjudicated throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan as well as PASIC, TMEA, TBA, and The Mid-West Band and Orchestra Convention. Jeff’s compositions and solo performances can be seen in his book/DVD Aptitude - A Conversation in Snare Soloing published by Drop 6. This publication received the very rare rating of a perfect “10” from Modern Drummer Magazine declaring it a classic. He can also be seen as a featured artist on the recent DVD The Rudiment Project by the Percussive Arts Society as well as several performances on Youtube.com. Jeff is a performing artist endorsed by Pearl/Adams, Sabian, Innovative Percussion, and Evans.

Mohamad Schuman

Mohamad Schuman is the Associate Director of Bands at The University of Southern Mississippi. At the university he teaches courses in Instrumental Methods and Administration, conducts the Southern Miss Symphonic Winds, and directs The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band that is scheduled to appear in the 2010 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Prior to Mr. Schuman’s appointment at Southern Miss, he successfully taught in the public schools of Mississippi for sixteen and one-half years. 

During Mr. Schuman’s tenure at Stone High School, his bands established a reputation for excellence throughout the United States. In addition to receiving consistent superior ratings in concert, sight-reading, and marching band performance, his ensembles have performed at various prestigious events including the 2001 Midwest Clinic, 2001 and 2006 Southern Instrumental Conductors Conference, 2001 Mississippi Bandmaster’s Association Convention, 2002 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the 2005 Inaugural Parade for President George W. Bush. Mr. Schuman served as the marching director of the 2000 International Champions - Mississippi Lions All-State Band.

Mr. Schuman has twice been honored by the National Band Association with its Citation of Excellence was named as one of three national winners of the 2004 NBA International Conducting Symposium in Rome, Italy. He has been named the state and regional winner of the ASBDA-UMI Distinguished Band Director Award (1998), twice named Star Teacher for Stone High School (2003, 2005), twice named GCBDA High School Band Director of the Year (1997, 1999), and honored by the Delta chapter of Phi Beta Mu with the Mississippi Band Director of the Year Award in 2003.

Mr. Schuman holds both the Bachelor and Master of Music Education Degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi. He is a member of various professional associations and has enjoyed numerous clinic and judging invitations. Mr. Schuman is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting at the University of South Carolina where he is a student of Professor James K. Copenhaver.

Susan Schuman

Susan Schuman is Assistant Director of Bands for the Oak Grove Band Program. Prior to her appointment with Lamar County Schools she served as Associate Director of Bands for Stone County Schools. In her 25 years of teaching, bands under her direction have consistently earned superior ratings in concert, sight-reading, and marching events. Mrs. Schuman holds the Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Delta State University and the Master of Music Education Degree from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is a past member of the Executive Board of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association as well as a past President of the Gulf Coast Band Directors Association. She served as the Color Guard Instructor for the Mississippi Lions All-State Band when the band was named International Champions at the 2000 Lions Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is an elected member of Phi Beta Mu and the American School Band Director’s Association. In February of 2001, Mrs. Schuman was honored by the National Band Association with their Citation of Excellence. In 2003 she was honored as Mississippi Band Director of the Year by the Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Mu and additionally was named Middle School Band director of the Year by the Gulf Coast Band Director’s Association. In 2006, Mrs. Schuman was selected as Star Teacher for Stone Middle School. Most recently, Mrs. Schuman served as the Concert Director for the 2008 Mississippi Lions All-State Band. 
 

Guard Staff (provided by Drum Corps International)

Tim Newburn

Tim Newburn is the Colorguard Director for both Langham Creek and Cypress Ranch High Schools in Houston, Texas. In addition to the daily training and administrative duties for both Varisty and JV programs on each campus, he serves as the Program Coordinator for the highly competitive marching band. Mr Newburn is the Colorguard Coordinator for CFISD, a 10 high school district. This position, the first of its kind, allows him to oversee the development of curriculum and performance opportunities for colorguard students and staff district-wide. He is also the creative and administrative director for the Independent Open winterguard Langham Springs, based out of Houston.

Mr. Newburn recently joined the staff for the Blue Knights Drum & Bugle Corps, after long tenures with the Glassmen, Bluecoats and Phantom Regiment. He also currently consults with Juliana Drum & Bugle Corps of The Netherlands and is a member of the DCI Task Force.

Mr. Newburn serves in a variety of capacities to countless programs across the globe. As designer, coordinator, consultant, clinician, or judge, he has enjoyed working with numerous DCI, WGI and BOA finalists over the past decade and a half. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Ball State University and is hard at work on a colorguard teaching textbook, The Art of Down-Up-Flat.

Guard Assistant—Ronnie Bynum

Ronnie Bynum is a native of Muncie, IN. Ronnie currently resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is a graduate of Indiana University-Bloomington. Ronnie works with at-risk youth in collaboration with Indianapolis Public Schools, which serves children in urban city communities.

Bynum is an alumnus of the Pride of Cincinnati (1997), Crown Gaurd (2000), and The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps (1995–1996).

2009 marks his 10th year of involvement with the Cavaliers. He was a former marching member of the color guard, has served as a flag technician, and will be entering his second year as the caption head for the color guard. In addition to his work with the corps, he also serves as a flag technician (2002–present) for the Center Grove Color Guard, from Greenwood, Indiana.