Greg Bruner teaches the Senior Band, Senior High Jazz Band, assists with Junior Band and teaches Beginning Band Percussion Class.  Mr. Bruner is a 1987 graduate of Highland High School. Growing up as a Methodist minister’s son, he attended many schools before finishing 8th-12 grade at Highland. He attended Arkansas State University  where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education.  After teaching six years at Corning, Mr. Bruner returned to Highland and is in his 27th year as the high school band director. 

Mr. Bruner is very active in many state organizations.  In 2022, Mr. Bruner was named the Arkansas Bandmaster of the Year.

Under Mr. Bruner's direction, the Highland Bands have earned regional, state, and national recognition for having a superior band.  Each year many students from the Highland Band go to college because of band scholarships and many have gone on to be band directors and professional musicians.  

Mr. and Mrs. Bruner have three sons: Harrison, Luke, and Evan.  In the summer you can find Mr. Bruner building or landscaping something, on the golf course, or possibly playing Zelda.

Whitney Smith is a 2012 graduate of Salem High School. She played French Horn at Arkansas State University.  After graduation she taught at Mammoth Spring High School one year, and then nine years at Pocahontas High School.  She is married to Mr. Trent Smith, also a band director (Salem).  They have two wonderful dogs, Maverick and Goose.  In her spare time, Mrs. Smith loves to read and also enjoy anything in nature.  She has visited multiple National Parks and is an avid hiker.  Mrs. Smith assists with the junior band and high school band. She also teaches the beginning brass class (trumpet and trombone).