YPAS/MANUAL BANDS
YOUTH PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL
1517 S SECOND ST.
LOUISVILLE, KY 40208
(502) 485-8355
Dr. Kevin Callihan - Director of Bands
kevin.callihan@jefferson.kyschools.us
Dr. Kevin Callihan is currently the Director of Bands at the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, KY. He has previously held Director of Bands positions at Longwood University (VA), Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Apollo High School (KY). Callihan holds degrees from Morehead State University, Northwestern University, and University of Kentucky. He has presented and/or performed at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association Clinic, the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference, the Midwest Clinic, the International Tuba & Euphonium Conference, the International Trombone Festival, the College Band Directors National Association Conference, and the International Society for Research and Promotion of Wind Music International Conference. He is an active performer, clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator both regionally and nationally. Kevin lives in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife Kaitlin and their daughter Katherine.
Conner Kinmon - Associate Director of Bands
conner.kinmon@jefferson.kyschools.us
Conner Kinmon is currently the Associate Director of Bands at the Youth Performing Arts School. He has previously held Director of Bands positions at Eastern High School and Henderson County High School. Mr. Kinmon is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Kentucky. While attending UK, Mr. Kinmon was a Senior Assistant for the University of Kentucky Wildcat Marching Band, Instructor of Trumpet at Lafayette High School, and a former member of the University of Kentucky Trumpet Ensemble, placing 2nd at the National Trumpet Competition Ensemble Division in both 2014 and 2016. Mr. Kinmon was also a member of the Shades of Blue Trumpet Quintet, the first collegiate trumpet ensemble to record an album of original works written for trumpet ensemble. Kinmon's primary teachers are (Band) Bob Gregg, Mike Pickrell, Scott Atchison, George Boulden and Cody Birdwell, (Trumpet) Vincent Dimartino, Jason Dovel, Phillip Chase Hawkins. Additionally, Kinmon is a proud member of the Kentucky Colonels. Ensembles under Mr. Kinmon's direction have been selected to perform at the KMEA conference, have been invited to perform at the Phi Beta Mu Concert Band Festival, have received the American School Band Directors Association certificate of outstanding performance, and have received unanimous distinguished ratings at KMEA Concert Festivals. Throughout his career, Mr. Kinmon has increased the number of students selected for KMEA All State Bands, Kentucky Governor's School for the Arts, KMEA All District Bands, and summer music camps. Mr. Kinmon was the 2020 KMEA District 2, High School Teacher of the Year and has served as the Marching Band Chair for District 2 and currently serves as the Band Chair for KMEA District 12. What Mr. Kinmon is most proud of is the success of his students both past and present and the relationships made along the way. Mr. Kinmon spends his time away from the band room with his lovely wife Brittany, beautiful baby girl Harper and their adorable puppy Waffles.
SECTIONAL STAFF
Dr. Tony Watson, Flute Specialist
Dr. Blake Johnson, Oboe Specialist
Mrs. Angela Soren, Clarinet Specialist
Mr. Ron Jones, Saxophone Specialist
Mr. Roger Soren, Bassoon Specialist
Dr. Brittany Giles, Bassoon Specialist
Dr. Jim Recktenwald, Trumpet Specialist
Mr. Colin Dorman, Horn Specialist
Dr. Anastasi Fafalios, Trombone Specialist
Mr. Chris Schmidt, Tuba / Euphonium Specialist
PRIVATE TEACHERS
FLUTE
Tony Watson, Charlotte Roth, Kim Spaulding, &
Jean Hutchinson
OBOE
Blake Johnson, Jennifer Potochnic, & DaEun Ahn
BASSOON
Brittany Giles, Eve Parsons, & Francisco Joubert
CLARINET
Angela Soren, Carrie RavenStem, Sam Holman, Marilyn Nije, & Michelle Gilfert
SAXOPHONE
Ron Jones, Cory Barnfield, Adam McCord, Derek Siebert, Brandon Bell, & Andrew Oberhausen
TRUMPET
Jim Recktenwald, Ryan Nottingham, Tim Hamilton, Sarah McClave, Stacy Simpson, Craig Twedell, George Burnett,
& Melanie Dillman
FRENCH HORN
John Little, Collin Dorman, Diana Morgen, Ben Taylor, & Tyler Taylor
TROMBONE
Anastasi Fafalios, Joshua Britton, Bryan Heath, Brett Evans, Chad O'Brian, & Robby Bernardi
EUPHONIUM
Chris Schmidt, John Jones, Christina Cutts Dougherty
TUBA
Chris Schmidt, John Jones, Andrew Doub, & Christina Cutts Dougherty
PERCUSSION
Mark Tate, Cole Gregory, & Jeremy McMonigle
COLLABORATIVE PIANIST
Debbie Dierks
The Band Department at YPAS provides a safe, caring atmosphere which is rich in student instruction and performance. As accomplished professional musicians themselves, the faculty approach the teaching of music as both a discipline and an art form. In addition to teaching fundamental music skills and artistic performance practices, the faculty members strive to impart to the students a lasting enjoyment and appreciation of music leading to a true passion for the art form as performers, educators, composers, and consumers.
Students in the YPAS Band Program have gone on to study at the Eastman School of Music, Juilliard, New England Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, Boston Conservatory, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, Indiana University, Northwestern University, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon University, Lynn Conservatory, Rice University, University of Southern California, and many other major universities and conservatories.
YPAS BANDS TRIP HISTORY
1995: Boston, Massachusetts
1996: Toronto, Canada
1997: Washington, D.C.
1998: San Antonio, Texas
1999: Chattanooga, TN and Chicago, Illinois
2000: Toronto, Canada
2001: New York, New York
2002: Caribbean Cruise
2003: New Orleans, Louisiana
2004: Montreal, Canada
2005: Boston, Massachusetts
2006: San Antonio, Texas
2007: New York, New York
2008: Indianapolis, Indiana (BOA MFA National Concert Band Festival)
2009: Boston, Massachusetts
2010: San Antonio, Texas
2011: Indianapolis, Indiana (BOA MFA National Concert Band Festival)
2012: New Orleans, Louisiana
2013: Washington, D.C.
2014: Chicago, Illinois
2015: San Antonio, Texas
2016: New Orleans, Louisiana
2017: Orlando, Florida
2018: Cincinnati, Ohio
2019: Chicago, Illinois
2022: New Orleans, Louisiana
2023: Indianapolis, Indiana (BOA MFA National Concert Band Festival)
2023: Chicago, Illinois (The Midwest Clinic)
2024: Washington, D.C. (BOA MFA Mid-Atlantic Concert Band Festival)
Lexington, KY (BOA MFA Windfest Concert Band Festival)