Rusty Hart, Director of Bands

Rusty Hart was raised in Cabot, Arkansas and is a 2002 graduate of Cabot High School. Mr. Hart has earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Arkansas Tech University and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Harding University. Mr. Hart earned numerous academic and musical honors during his time at Arkansas Tech and graduated with Honors from Harding University.

Mr. Hart is currently in his 18th year as an educator and is the Head Band Director for the Cabot School District. Mr. Hart directs the Cabot High School Wind Symphony, one of the CHS Concert Bands, and the Spirit of Cabot Marching Band. Prior to teaching at Cabot, Mr. Hart was the Director of Bands at Baptist Preparatory High School in Little Rock for 3 years and Magnet Cove High School for 4 years. Rusty is a 2020 GRAMMY Music Educator Award Nominee, the 2021 Cabot School District Secondary Teacher of the Year Award Winner, and a 2015 inductee into the Phi Beta Mu-International Bandmasters Fraternity. Mr. Hart is a frequent honor band clinician around the state of Arkansas as well as being an active adjudicator in both the marching and concert band mediums. His professional affiliations include Arkansas Bandmasters Association, the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.

In his spare time Rusty enjoys spending time with his family, deer and duck hunting, golfing, and playing in the orchestra and praise band at First Baptist Church of Cabot. Rusty has been married to his high school sweetheart, Lindsey, for 18 years. They now live in Cabot with their 15-year-old daughter Bella Claire and their 5-year-old son Oren Paul.

Kara Reynolds, Associate Director of Bands

Kara Reynolds is a 1995 graduate of Greene County Tech in Paragould, AR.  She received her Bachelor's in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University in 2000 and began her teaching career in the Cabot Schools that fall.  Mrs. Reynolds is currently in her 25th year as an Associate Director of Bands at Cabot Public Schools and conducts the Cabot High School Symphonic Band. She assists with the marching band, Cabot Freshmen Academy band, and teaches beginner percussion classes at JH North and South. She is also the color guard coordinator for the district. During her career at Cabot she has been nominated for Teacher of the year multiple times.

As a member of Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, Mrs. Reynolds has served as a Region Chair and Board President. She is currently serving as a board member on the Executive Advisory. She is a member of the Arkansas Bandmasters’ Association and has served on the Spouse board and as a clinician for the annual convention. She is also a member of Phi Beta Mu-International Bandmasters Fraternity, the Arkansas Women Band Directors’ Association, and Tau Beta Sigma.  Mrs. Reynolds has served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout Arkansas. In May 2025 she was awarded the Assistant Band Director of the year by the Arkansas Small Band Association.  She just completed her second summer as Camp Director for Frontlines Guard and Drum Major camp that her parents created almost 25 years ago. A new addition to her professional career is serving Arkansas Ensembles as a part time Sales Representative for TMF out of Texas.

Mrs. Reynolds has been an active member of her church, and has taught music classes for the children's ministry along with leading a high school youth small group. Her free time is spent with her family and traveling as often as possible. She is married to Scott Reynolds, who is often found assisting with the percussion for Cabot Bands. They reside in Cabot with 2 of their three children, Brandon and Karaline. Their oldest daughter, Dr. Kimberly Reynolds Bartley, lives in Nashville, TN with their son in law David. She is also a new “Glama” with the arrival of her first granddaughter, Hany.

Phillip Franklin, Associate Director of Bands

Phillip H. Franklin is one of the Assistant Director of Bands at Cabot High School where he conducts the Cabot High School Red Concert Band and helps run the Cabot High School Marching Band.  With 11 years of teaching experience, Phillip is dedicated to fostering musical excellence and personal growth among students.

A graduate of Vanderbilt University (TN), Phillip holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees in music education and has studied with Clarinetists Bil Jackson; Cassie Lee and conductor Thomas Verrier. During his career, he has guided ensembles to achieve numerous superior ratings at concert and marching assessments.  He is a current member of the Phi Beta Mu Music fraternity.

In addition to his work with the Cabot High School Band, Phillip is active in the marching arts as a professional drill designer. He has designed drill for high school band programs across the country and has had numerous Bands of America regional finalist appearances, state medalists and superior rated performances at various Region and State Assessments.  He is passionate about providing marching ensembles with artistic and engaging drill to perform.  He is also a Co-Director of the Cabot High School Winterguard which has been a WGI Regional Class champion, Finalist and AMAA Class Champion.

Phillip Franklin lives in Cabot with his wife Lauren and son Henry with their dog Clyde.  When he is not conducting or teaching, he enjoys traveling to visit family, hiking and camping.

Ian Neiswender, Director of Percussion

Ian Neiswender is a 2020 graduate of Arkansas Tech University where he received his Bachelor’s of Music Education. Ian began his teaching career in 2021 in Mountain Home. In 2022, Ian began working at his alma mater Cabot High School where he has been working ever since teaching percussion for grades 8-12. Throughout a typical work week, Ian will be in every band ensemble assisting with percussion or leading percussion sectionals. He also coaches percussion ensembles for both the North and South 8th grade bands, both the Symphonic and Concert 9th grade bands, and two percussion ensemble groups at Cabot High School.

During his college and professional career, Ian has worked many summer band camps through Arkansas Tech University as both a counselor and an educator, as well as working with many high school summer marching band programs to teach percussion. Ian was also instrumental in the foundation of Arkansas Tech University’s Marching Arts Weekend and has been actively involved in teaching marching percussion at the camp every summer since 2021 when the camp began. 

Ian Neiswender is a member of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association as well as the Arkansas Bandmasters Association. Ian lives with his wife Courtney in Ward Arkansas.

Brandon Wilson, Assistant Director and Jazz Director

Brandon Wilson is in his 16th year of teaching and his 5th with the Cabot School District.  He is a 2009 graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.  He began his career in the North Little Rock School District as the 9th grade band director for three years followed by being the Director of Bands for seven years.  Under Mr. Wilson’s instruction the North Little Rock Symphonic Band routinely scored superior ratings at both marching and concert assessments and placed numerous students in Region and State Ensembles.

In the fall of 2019 he was afforded the opportunity to transition to band instruction in the Cabot School District.  While at Cabot he has been responsible for the jazz ensemble which has received first division ratings at the ARJE state jazz festival since its inception with numerous students receiving honor band and state recognition.  Mr. Wilson also takes on the never ending challenge of electronics coordination with the award winning Spirit of Cabot Marching Band. Mr. Wilson is also a Teacher of the Year nominee at Cabot High School.

Mr. Wilson is a member of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association as well as the Arkansas Bandmasters Association.  In his spare time Brandon loves spending time with his wife Jennifer as well as their two German Shepherds Blitz and Denver and the real boss; the Chihuahua Mia.  He also serves in the praise and worship band at Cabot First Baptist Church and loves all things cars; spending most free weekends at the local racetrack. 

John Prater, CFA Director

John Prater is beginning his twenty-seventh year of teaching in the Cabot Public School district, where he teaches beginning low brass and co-conducts the Freshman Academy Symphonic and Concert Bands. He has also been Director of Bands at Arkansas State University-Beebe, where he began the band program and previously taught applied euphonium and tuba. Mr. Prater is a 1998 graduate of Arkansas Tech University where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. Mr. Prater also received his Master of Music Education from the University of North Texas in 2005. He has studied under Hal Cooper, Andy Anders, Brian Bowman, Tony Baker, Eugene Corporon, Dennis Fisher, and Jack Stamp. In addition to his regular teaching duties, Mr. Prater maintains a private studio of low brass students. He is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout Arkansas.

He received the “Essential Pieces” Education Award from Cabot Jr. High South, has been nominated for the National Stars of Teaching Award, is a four-time honoree in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, and has been nominated for the Music Educator Award from the Grammy Music Education Coalition . Mr. Prater is also a National Board Certified Teacher.

Mr. Prater is a member of Arkansas Bandmasters’ Association, Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, Phi Beta Mu, and is a past president of the Arkansas chapter of the American School Band Directors’ Association. Mr. Prater performs with the Central Arkansas Brass Quintet, the Little Rock Winds, and has performed with the Quapaw Brass Quintet, the Searcy Brass Quintet, and Basso Voce of Little Rock. He is married to Nicole and has one daughter, Olivia.

Erica Hann, CFA Director

Erica Hann is in her 23rd year of education and her 22nd year in the Cabot School District.  She currently co-teaches the 9th grade bands, assists with both 8th grade concert bands, and teaches all of the beginning clarinet students.  Erica is a 1996 graduate of Russellville High School.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Arkansas Tech University in 2000 and her Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Central Arkansas in 2008. Mrs. Hann has also earned her National Board Certification.  Erica’s bands consistently earn superior ratings at assessment and her clarinet studio students regularly earn several spots in the Arkansas All State ensembles.  She is a member of Phi Beta Mu, Arkansas Women Band Directors Association, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, and is currently serving as the 2nd Vice President of the ASBOA Executive Board. Erica and her husband Cory reside in Cabot and are the proud parents of Abigail, a senior Clarinetist, and Ava, a freshman Oboe player in the Cabot Band.  

Nicole Prater, CJHN Director

Nicole Prater is currently serving on the band staff for Cabot Public Schools in Cabot, AR where she directs the 8th Grade band at Cabot Junior High North, as well as teaching the beginner trumpet and French horn classes at both junior high campuses. Prior to being in Cabot, she taught junior high bands at Dover and Newport, AR. Ms. Prater received her Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education from Harding University in 2004. She also holds a Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Harding University, which she received in 2010.

Ms. Prater is a member of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, for which she has served as region treasurer and region chair for Region IV. She is also a member of Phi Beta Mu Honorary Band Fraternity. In 2019, Ms. Prater received the Principal’s Leadership Award for outstanding service and dedication to Cabot Junior High North students and staff.

In her spare time, Ms. Prater likes to spend time with her family, go to flea markets, and upcycle old furniture. She is married to John Prater, also a director on the Cabot band staff, and they have a daughter, Olivia.

Susan Ford, CJHS Director

Susan Ford is a graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia where she received her Bachelor of Music Education degree. She received her Master's degree in Education from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and is a National Board Certified Teacher. As an active educator in Arkansas, Susan has completed 34 years of teaching. She has taught at Stuttgart Jr. High, Stuttgart High School, Watson Chapel Jr. High in Pine Bluff, Lincoln Middle School in Forrest City, Marion Middle School, and is currently teaching at Cabot Junior High South. Susan has served as a clinician and adjudicator in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas.  

Susan is a member of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, Arkansas Women Band Directors Association, and Phi Beta Mu. She is a Past Chairman of ASBOA Region IV, ASBOA Region V, Past President of the Arkansas Women Band Directors’ Association, Past President of Phi Beta Mu, and served on the Arkansas Bandmasters Association’s Spouse Board. In 2022 and 2025, Susan was named “Teacher of the Year” at Cabot Junior High South and this year, she is the “Teacher of the Year” for the Cabot Public School District, and is currently in the top 15 for "Arkansas Teacher of the Year". In 2023, Susan was awarded the prestigious “Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year.” In addition to her work in the instrumental music field, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System and on the Leadership Team for JoyWorks Arkansas, a young musicians’ camp from the Arkansas Baptist State Convention.