Jacob Carpenter

Brass Team

Jacob Carpenter is a native of the Cincinnati, OH area. Carpenter graduated from the University of Kentucky with his degree in Music Education. While in Lexington, he spent several years as marching band instructor for several Central Kentucky bands. After his time in Lexington, he moved back to the Cincinnati area and spent 3 years as a band director with the Milford Exempted Village School District. While in Cincinnati he played horn in the Fillmore Wind Band (a performing ensemble at the 2017 Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, IL).

After his time in Cincinnati, he returned to graduate school full time to pursue his Master’s Degree in Music Education at Bowling Green State University. During his time there he served as one of the graduate assistants with the band program. He now lives in Kingsport, TN and is the Assistant Band Director at Dobyns-Bennett High School. 

In addition to his scholastic achievements, Carpenter began his drum corps career with the Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps from LaCrosse, WI in 2010 as a member of the mellophone section. He continued as section leader and aged-out as Drum Major in 2014. He joined the corps as a brass and visual instructor for the 2015 season and has remained on staff since.

Dr. Jason Rinehart

Brass Team

Dr. Jason Rinehart is currently a Customer Service Supervisor for American Airlines in Pensacola, FL.  Previously he has served as the Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Alabama and the University of Louisiana-Monroe.  Prior to his appointment at USA, Dr. Rinehart taught at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Conservatory of Music, Benedictine College, and St. Louis Community College.  

Jason received his Doctorate in Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He also holds degrees from Texas Tech University (Bachelor of Music Education) and Southern Methodist University (Master in Conducting). In addition, Dr. Rinehart studied conducting with David Effron and Gunther Schuller at the Brevard Music Center.

Professional ensembles under his leadership include the Fountain City and St. Louis Brass Bands, Monroe (LA) Symphony Orchestra, Atchison (KS) Symphony, and the Kansas City Ballet, in addition to numerous collegiate wind ensembles and orchestras, as well as conducting over forty-five main stage opera and musical productions.  An avid lover of the stage, Jason has conducted over 40 operas and musicals and he has also been the stage director for such musicals as The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Les Misérables.  

Dr. Rinehart is in demand as a clinician and has worked with ensembles in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, California, Ohio and Illinois. Jason is in his thirteenth year as third horn with the Monroe (LA) Symphony Orchestra and has played with numerous orchestras in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas and Missouri.  

Dr. Rinehart has been involved with the drum and bugle corps activity for over 25 years beginning as a marching member with the Sky Ryders and Phantom Regiment and has previously taught with Pioneer, Capital Regiment, and The Cadets.  He was Assistant Brass Caption Head for the Boston Crusaders, and was the Brass Caption Head for the Glassmen and Spirit of Atlanta.  He has also served as an adjudicator for Drum Corps International .

He holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Alabama Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. 

Jacoby Taylor

Movement Coordinator

Jacoby Taylor’s marching arts career started at Klein Collins high school in Spring, TX. Following graduation, Taylor continued to develop his education and pursue his passion for the activity by performing with various independent groups. He also spent four summers with the Madison Scouts, three of them as the captain of the color guard.

Jacoby has worked with various programs throughout the state of Texas as a director, designer, choreographer and clinician. He currently is the colorguard director at Cypress Springs High School and Paetow High School. He is also the founder and director of Undaunted an independent open colorguard based in Houston.

 Taylor continues to reside in Cypress, TX with his two dogs and along with his color guard career, is studying for his realtors license.

Kevin Ford

Drill Designer

Kevin Ford is the founder and Director of the Leadership Conservatory for the Arts at Tarpon Springs High School. He is presently in his twenty-sixth year of teaching in the public school system as the Director of Bands at Tarpon Springs High School. 

His responsibilities include directing the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Solo and Ensemble Coach, supervising all Conservatory performance ensembles, and developing curriculum for the Conservatory Student Leadership Courses. 

In addition to his duties at Tarpon Springs High School, Mr. Ford is a Yamaha Master Educator and enjoys an active schedule as a leadership speaker and guest clinician throughout the country. Mr Ford was the MENC National Band Director of the Year in 2016 and was just recently elected into the Bands of America Hall of Fame. He is nationally recognized as an innovative show designer and has written for Disney’s BLAST, the Opening Ceremonies for the FIFA World Cup in South Korea, and is the creative director/ drill designer for the Tarpon Springs Outdoor Performance Ensemble. Mr. Ford is also the co-founder/owner of the Inspire.... Music and Entertainment Production Company.