Caruthersville   -   jerrylintner@hotmail.com 

Jerry is beginning his 31st year as a Band Director.  His current position is the Director of Bands at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Schools in Perryville, MO.  He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Southeast Missouri State University (1992) and a Master of Music Education degree from Arkansas State University (1996) and has completed additional coursework at SIU-Edwardsville, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Lindenwood University, Central Missouri State University and Northwest Missouri State University. His previous teaching assignments have been in the Caruthersville #18 School District, Iron County C-4 School District (Viburnum, MO), North St. Francois County School District (Bonne Terre, MO), Orchard Farm School District (St. Charles, MO), Puxico R-VIII Schools, Hayti R-II School District and as an adjunct instructor for Three Rivers College.   Mr. Lintner served as the Winds Conductor for the St. Charles County Youth Orchestra from 1998-2005 and has worked with the Summer Music Camps at Southeast Missouri State University and with the Dixie Band Camp at the University of Central Arkansas.  He has formerly directed the Kennett Municipal Band (1994 & 2017) and the Hayti Centennial Band (1995). His professional memberships include the Missouri Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, Jazz Educators Network, Missouri Association for Jazz Education, Missouri Bandmasters Association and the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference.  He resides in Jackson, MO with his wife Delilah and their children. 

Sparta (retired)  -   snichols@sparta.k12.mo.us

Mrs. Nichols graduated from Boonville High School before attending Southwest Missouri State University (MSU) where she graduated with degrees in Instrumental Music and Elementary Ed. She then returned to Boonville High School as the Assistant Director working with Steve Litwiller, who was also her high school director.  Mrs. Nichols then moved to Tipton Schools to become the 5-12 Instrumental Music Director for 15 years. During this time, Mrs. Nichols completed her Master’s degree in Elementary and Secondary Administration. Mrs. Nichols returned to the Southwest Missouri area to become the Instrumental Music Director at Sparta Schools and is in her sixth year teaching at Sparta. 

Mrs. Nichols has been married to her husband Darin for 28 years and has two wonderful kids, Aana who just graduated from college and William who is in the 11th grade.  She enjoys being active in judging contests and conducting in clinics.  Mrs. Nichols is a member of MMEA, MBA, MSSBDA, MSTA, and MWBDA where she has served as an officer.

Fayette   -   ebetts@fatetteschool.org 

Elizabeth is currently in her fourth year as Director of Bands for the Fayette School District in Fayette, Missouri. She has taught the past 15 years in small, Missouri schools- many of them spent teaching PreK-12 Music. She has been involved with the MMEA mentoring program for six years, and is a member of MMEA, NafME, and MBA. Elizabeth resides in Fayette, Missouri with her husband and two children.

Elsberry   -   rcooper@elsberry.k12.mo.us

Rebecca is in her eleventh year of teaching at Elsberry R-II School District teaching choir, music appreciation, and grade level bands, as well as high school concert, marching, and jazz bands. She also serves as colorguard director for the Troy Buchanan Trojan Pride Marching Band. Rebecca holds a BME from Central Methodist University an MME from University of Missouri - Kansas City. In addition to MSSBDA, she is also active in MWBDA and a member of NAfME, MBA, and SAI. Rebecca is extremely fond of naps, but has two wildly delightful and high energy little girls.  

Marion County R-II   -   abrown@marion.k12.mo.us

Adam is a graduate of Truman State University and going into his 5th year as the PreK-12 band/choir teacher at Marion County R-II in Philadelphia, MO. This is his second term as Northeast Representative for MSSBDA.  

Kennett    -    dbush@kennett.k12.mo.us

Dustin Bush, now in his 10th year of teaching and 3rd year at Kennett, was born in North Carolina and moved to Illinois at age 8. He graduated from Evangel University (2008) Bachelors of Music and Missouri State University (2022) with Master of Arts in Teaching. 

Dustin has taught music at all levels and has served in various roles for the National Fine Arts Festival and other youth ministries. He taught at Play and Sing His Praises Homeschool program from 2015 to 2021 and started a band program at Grace Classical Academy in 2017, where he also directed *Fiddler on the Roof Jr.* 

In 2021, he became the Elementary Vocal Music teacher for Clever R-V Schools, directing the Jr. Jays Choir and assisting with the Clever Marching Band. Dustin has performed with numerous ensembles and currently directs the Kennett Municipal Band.

He is married to Melanie, who serves as his Assistant Director. Together, they have six children who are musically active.

He is a member of many arts organizations:

• National Association for Music Education

• National Band Association

• American School Band Directors Association

• High School Band Directors National Association

• Music Teachers National Association

• Missouri Music Educators Association

• Missouri Bandmasters Association

• Missouri Small-School Band Directors Association

• Missouri Alliance for Arts Education

• Southeast Missouri Band Directors Association

• Southeast Missouri Music Educators Association

• Bugles Across America

• Missouri State Teachers Association

Lamar    -    payneb@lamar.k12.mo.us

Rebecca, aka Becky, Payne graduated from Jasper High School in Jasper, MO and graduated Magna Cum Laude with degrees in Music Education with certification in vocal and instrumental music from Pittsburg State University. She is currently a band director in Lamar, Missouri where she has been for 22 years. She previously worked as the band and choir director in Lockwood, MO. Mrs. Payne has also been the music director at the Lamar Methodist church for the past 20 years and for 6 years before that at the Lamar First Christian Church. Mrs. Payne is also a pianist at the church, is active as an accompanist and gave piano lessons for 15 years. She is a member of MMEA, MBA, MSSBDA, Phi Kappa Phi, and Pi Kappa Lambda.

Becky and her husband Judd have been married for 35 years and they have been blessed with three children together, Rachel, Cade, and Molly who are all married, six grandchildren, an adopted daughter from Germany, two live-in "sons" and have hosted multiple foreign exchange students through the years. 

Mrs. Payne enjoys baking, cake decorating, crafting, and playing the piano in her spare time.

Trenton  -   awebb@trentonr9.k12.mo.us

Anthony is currently in his 14th year of teaching. At Trenton, he teaches 9-12 Band, 7-8 Band, 6th Grade Beginning Band, 5th Grade General Music, Guitar 1 and 2, and Jazz Band. He has seen success as a small school band director. His students have placed 1st at multiple marching competitions, played at the 5A State Basketball Championships, received 1 and Gold Ratings at the District and State Level and he has produced multiple All-District and All-State level Musicians.  Anthony graduated from Culver-Stockton College in 2010 with a Bachelors of Music Education. Anthony is pursuing a Masters of Music Degree with a concentration in Conducting. Anthony is a certified MSHSAA Adjudicator and has conducted numerous honor bands throughout the state. Anthony is passionate about offering music education to ALL students. Anthony lives in Chillicothe with his wife Ashley and their four children Aria (7), Ricky (5), and Twins Kellen and Clark (9 months). 

Fredericktown R-1 - shelby.leo@blackcatsk12.org

Mrs. Leo graduated from Seckman Senior High School before attending Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) where she graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Music Education degree for K-12 instrumental and choral instruction (2015).  She holds a Master of Music Education degree from Lindenwood University from December 2021. 

Mrs. Leo is the director of bands at Fredericktown R-1 School District teaching 6-12th grade band and general music at Fredericktown High School and Kelly A. Burlison Middle School.  She oversees the fine arts department in the district secondary schools.  Currently, she is a member of MSSBDA, NAfME, CTA, MSTA, MBA, MCDA, and MMEA. 

Mrs. Leo has been married to Mr. Alex Leo since 2018.  Together they have 2 sons, Ailen and Kirk and another baby on the way. The Leo's are also foster parents and believe all children deserve a chance. Mrs. Leo currently resides in St. Marys, MO and enjoys being an active member within the music community, as well as managing lights and sound for all stage productions in the district.  

St. Pius X, Festus  -   dschaffer@stpius.com

Doug is currently the director of band and choir at St. Pius X Catholic High School in Festus, Missouri. In just his second year at St. Pius X Doug has doubled the size of

the choir, led the concert band to a performance at a Music For All Regional Concert Festival at O’Fallon Township, and this year started the first competitive marching band in the history of the school. Doug also served as an assistant coach for St. Pius X’s Final Four girls basketball team, and enjoys using this as a reminder to students that you can do sports and band/choir.

Prior to his time at St. Pius X, Doug served as the director of bands at Laquey, Mark Twain, and Wright City. During his time at these schools they consistently earned the highest honors in marching and concert band festivals including several division 1 ratings, multiple class championships, and the 2022 MSMA class 4 Parade Championship and Field Runner Up. 

Outside of the classroom Doug is very passionate about student opportunities. He was a founding member of the Missouri Small School Band Directors Association where he has served as a representative, the President, and currently is the festival coordinator. He also was a founding member of the Missouri State Marching Association, and still chairs that board. Between these festivals put on by these two organizations, over 10,000 students received performance opportunities last year, and Doug hopes to grow that number this year. Due to all of these efforts Doug was named to the inaugural “40 under 40” list presented by Yamaha.

Norborne R-VIII  -   dlong@norborneschools.com

Daniel currently serves as the Music Teacher and Activities Director for the Norborne R-VIII School District. His teaching responsibilities include K-12 general music, 5-12 Band, and Dual Credit Music Appreciation. He aslo has several students involved in his private studio before and after school. Other responsibilities that he has include Concession Director and is on the District and Building Leadership Teams for the district and high school. As activities director Mr. Long oversees the sports and activities schedules. 

Mr. Long attended Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri, and earned his Bachelors in Music Education in 2014 and Masters in Music Education in 2018. He completed his Specialist in Educational Leadership from Northwest Missouri State University in 2023. 

Currently he is a member of the Missouri Bandmasters Association and serves as their Technology Chair, Missouri Small School Band Director's Association and serves as the Technology Coordinator, Missouri Music Educators Association serving as the Northwest MMEA Band Vice-President, Phi Mu Alpha - Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Mu. 

Outside of school, Mr. Long enjoys spending time with his wife, Samantha, traveling the country, and going to lots of sporting events. His favorite teams include Sporting Kansas City and the Kansas City Royals!