Mike Jones – Director of Bands

Mike Jones has been the Director of Bands at Lawrence High School since the fall of 2001. Before his current teaching position, he taught band for 3 years in Newton, Kansas and 3 years in Inman, Kansas.

A Kansas Native, Mike earned his Bachelors of Music Education degree at the University of Missouri – Kansas City and his Masters degree from the American Band College at Southern Oregon University. In the summer of 2001, Mike was awarded the Outstanding Young Bandmaster’s award by the Kansas Band Masters Association. In 2009 he was named the Northeast District KMEA Band Director of the Year.  He is currently serving as the KMEA All-State Jazz Chair.

Mike is an active conductor and clinician in the area. His wife is Rachel Dirks and she happens to be the Orchestra Director at Lawrence High School. Together they have two very active boys Gavin and Connor.

Tom Hunt – Assistant Director of Bands

Tom joins the Lawrence High School staff as Assistant Director of Bands in the 2010 -2011 school year after serving as an assistant at Lawrence Free State High School since that building opened in 1997. Tom was named the KMEA Northeast District Outstanding Elementary Band Director in 1999-2000.  He has served KMEA as the Jazz Chair in both the Northwest District (1994-1996) and the Northeast District (2004-2006).  He is active as a composer/arranger, with numerous works for jazz ensemble performed and recorded by bands in the Lawrence-Topeka area.

Johannah Cox – Assistant Director of Bands

Johannah Cox has taught Instrumental Music for 27 years. She is beginning her 22nd year as Director of Bands at Central Junior High School in Lawrence. Prior to coming to Lawrence, she taught in the Salina Public Schools from 1979-1985. She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Fort Hays State University. Johannah has served on the faculty of High Plains Band Camp, Midwestern Music Camp and the Kansas International Lions Band.

In 1985, the Kansas Bandmaster’s Association (KBA) named Johannah Outstanding Young Band Director. She served as President of KBA in 1989. Johannah is also a member of Kansas Music Educators Association and Music Educators National Conference.

Johannah is a woodwind specialist and in addition to her assignments at Central and Lawrence High, she runs a clarinet studio. She is on a lifelong quest for the world’s most perfect reed!!!