Staff
Mr. Ryan Hurd - Director of Bands
Ryan Hurd is in his eighth year as Director of Bands for the Jackson Schools, after serving four years as Associate Director of Bands in the district. A native of Parma, Ohio, he earned both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education in Teaching Artistry in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. He oversees all band activities and conducts the Wind Ensemble, Marching Ironmen, Jazz Band, Pep Bands, assists with the middle school bands, and teaches AP Music Theory.
Under his leadership, the Symphonic Band (formerly Concert Band) earned its first-ever Superior rating at the OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event. He was recognized by the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) with the 2017 Outstanding Potential Award and was named the 2018 OMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year. Ryan is an active member of ASBDA and has served as OMEA District 17 President, middle school honor band site chair, and site chair for both middle and high school solo and ensemble events.
Dedicated to mentoring young educators, Ryan has hosted six professional interns from Ohio University, presented leadership seminars in southeast Ohio schools, and served as a guest saxophone and clarinet clinician across the state. He has also judged numerous district and festival honor bands. In 2018, he co-presented at the OMEA Professional Development Conference on Building Band Programs in Rural & Low Income Areas, and reprised the presentation at the 2022 ASBDA State Convention.
As a performer, Ryan was a winner of the Three Arts Club of Lakewood competition and has given recitals throughout the Cleveland area. He was a founding member of The Four Corners Saxophone Quartet, which won awards in Bowling Green State University’s Chamber Music Competition and the MTNA Ohio Chamber Competition. The quartet premiered works by composers Mihai Popean, Hannah Skowronek, John Gazda, Peng Xing, and collaborated with Mark Whitmer, while also participating in master classes with Dr. Clifford Leaman and Dr. Ryan Muncy. At BGSU, Ryan performed with the Falcon Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble.
On weekends, he performs locally with his jazz quartet, JRDN & CO.
Ryan Hurd is in his eighth year as Director of Bands for the Jackson Schools, after serving four years as Associate Director of Bands in the district. A native of Parma, Ohio, he earned both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education in Teaching Artistry in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. He oversees all band activities and conducts the Wind Ensemble, Marching Ironmen, Jazz Band, Pep Bands, assists with the middle school bands, and teaches AP Music Theory.
Under his leadership, the Symphonic Band (formerly Concert Band) earned its first-ever Superior rating at the OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event. He was recognized by the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) with the 2017 Outstanding Potential Award and was named the 2018 OMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year. Ryan is an active member of ASBDA and has served as OMEA District 17 President, middle school honor band site chair, and site chair for both middle and high school solo and ensemble events.
Dedicated to mentoring young educators, Ryan has hosted six professional interns from Ohio University, presented leadership seminars in southeast Ohio schools, and served as a guest saxophone and clarinet clinician across the state. He has also judged numerous district and festival honor bands. In 2018, he co-presented at the OMEA Professional Development Conference on Building Band Programs in Rural & Low Income Areas, and reprised the presentation at the 2022 ASBDA State Convention.
As a performer, Ryan was a winner of the Three Arts Club of Lakewood competition and has given recitals throughout the Cleveland area. He was a founding member of The Four Corners Saxophone Quartet, which won awards in Bowling Green State University’s Chamber Music Competition and the MTNA Ohio Chamber Competition. The quartet premiered works by composers Mihai Popean, Hannah Skowronek, John Gazda, Peng Xing, and collaborated with Mark Whitmer, while also participating in master classes with Dr. Clifford Leaman and Dr. Ryan Muncy. At BGSU, Ryan performed with the Falcon Marching Band, Wind Symphony, and Jazz Ensemble.
On weekends, he performs locally with his jazz quartet, JRDN & CO.
Mr. Keith Wilson II - Associate Band Director
Keith Wilson has served Jackson City Schools for the past ten years, where he is head of Middle School Bands at Jackson Middle School, Assistant Band Director at Jackson High School, Percussion Instructor for the district, and teacher of 5th Grade General Music.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, and a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Akron, where he studied under renowned percussionist Dr. Larry Snider. His primary instrument is percussion, with piano as his secondary.
In addition to teaching, Keith is an active arranger and composer, having written and arranged marching band music for the Jackson Marching Ironmen and other ensembles across Ohio. He has taught private percussion lessons for over 15 years, mentoring students of all ages and abilities.
Outside the classroom, Keith continues to perform actively. He plays drum set with the folk band Wildwood Franklin and the jazz quartet JRDN & CO. His performance career has included stages across Ohio and beyond, including a youth blues competition appearance on historic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.
Keith Wilson has served Jackson City Schools for the past ten years, where he is head of Middle School Bands at Jackson Middle School, Assistant Band Director at Jackson High School, Percussion Instructor for the district, and teacher of 5th Grade General Music.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, and a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Akron, where he studied under renowned percussionist Dr. Larry Snider. His primary instrument is percussion, with piano as his secondary.
In addition to teaching, Keith is an active arranger and composer, having written and arranged marching band music for the Jackson Marching Ironmen and other ensembles across Ohio. He has taught private percussion lessons for over 15 years, mentoring students of all ages and abilities.
Outside the classroom, Keith continues to perform actively. He plays drum set with the folk band Wildwood Franklin and the jazz quartet JRDN & CO. His performance career has included stages across Ohio and beyond, including a youth blues competition appearance on historic Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee.
Mrs. Mallory Scaife - Assistant Band Director
Mallory Scaife Wilson is a Wooster, Ohio native, and graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a minor in Conducting. Her responsibilities as Assistant Band Director include assisting the Middle School Bands and Marching Ironmen, conducting the JHS Concert Winds, and teaching 3rd and 4th grade General Music.
Before joining the Jackson Bands staff, Mrs. Scaife served as the Director of Bands at Wheelersburg Local Schools for three years. She was responsible for all band activities including directing the Wheelersburg Middle and High School Concert Bands, Marching Band, and Pep Band, while teaching 8th Grade General Music and high school Class Piano. During her time at Wheelersburg, she tripled the band program’s overall enrollment, and led the WHS Concert Band to a Superior rating at OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event in 2022.
Mrs. Scaife is a pianist and clarinetist, who performed with the Ohio University Marching 110 and Wind Symphony in the Macy’s Day Parade and at Carnegie Hall. On piano, she earned first place in the Graves Adult Duo Piano Competition, honorable mention in the Ohio University Concerto Competition, and has worked as a piano accompanist in Southeastern Ohio for the past eight years.
Supplemental Band Staff
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Billman - Assistant Band Director
Mr. Paul Hogue - Assistant Band Director
Mrs. Karen Elliott - Double Reed Specialist
Mrs. Erin Carpenter - Baton Instructor
Mrs. Sarah Harris - Auxiliary Advisor
Mrs. Ashley Taylor - Auxiliary Advisor
Mr. Matthew McKee - Announcer
Mrs. Ashlyn Culbertson - Announcer
Mallory Scaife Wilson is a Wooster, Ohio native, and graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a minor in Conducting. Her responsibilities as Assistant Band Director include assisting the Middle School Bands and Marching Ironmen, conducting the JHS Concert Winds, and teaching 3rd and 4th grade General Music.
Before joining the Jackson Bands staff, Mrs. Scaife served as the Director of Bands at Wheelersburg Local Schools for three years. She was responsible for all band activities including directing the Wheelersburg Middle and High School Concert Bands, Marching Band, and Pep Band, while teaching 8th Grade General Music and high school Class Piano. During her time at Wheelersburg, she tripled the band program’s overall enrollment, and led the WHS Concert Band to a Superior rating at OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event in 2022.
Mrs. Scaife is a pianist and clarinetist, who performed with the Ohio University Marching 110 and Wind Symphony in the Macy’s Day Parade and at Carnegie Hall. On piano, she earned first place in the Graves Adult Duo Piano Competition, honorable mention in the Ohio University Concerto Competition, and has worked as a piano accompanist in Southeastern Ohio for the past eight years.
Supplemental Band Staff
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Billman - Assistant Band Director
Mr. Paul Hogue - Assistant Band Director
Mrs. Karen Elliott - Double Reed Specialist
Mrs. Erin Carpenter - Baton Instructor
Mrs. Sarah Harris - Auxiliary Advisor
Mrs. Ashley Taylor - Auxiliary Advisor
Mr. Matthew McKee - Announcer
Mrs. Ashlyn Culbertson - Announcer
