Jason Walsh has served for eleven years as an Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion at
Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport, Tennessee. He received his Bachelor's in Music Education
from East Tennessee State University. Mr. Walsh begna his teaching career in 1999 as an Interim Band Director for Linkhorne Middle School in Lynchburg, Virginia. He then taught at Hampton High School in Hampton, Tennessee where he served as both the mddle school and high school band director.
Mr. Walsh's teaching responsibilities at Dobyns-Bennett included conducting the third concert band, multiple percussion ensembles and the marching percussion section, directing percussion at John sevier Middle School, as well as arranging the percussion scores for both the football and competitive marching bands.
During his tenure, the Dobyns-Bennett Marching Band has performed at the Tournament of Roses Parade twice, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade twice, the Fiesta Bowl Parade, several Bands of America regional finalist appearances, and was twice a Bands of America Grand National semi finalist. The marching band was also honored to receive the Tennessee Governor's Cup at the MTSU Contest of Champions in 2006 and 2007.
The Symphonic Band has also had several prestigious performances including the College Band Directors National Conference in 2002, Tennessee Music Educator's Association conference in 2004, 2008, 2012, BOA National Concert Festival in 2006, and Midwest Band and Orchestra Convention in 2002 and 2009.
The Dobyns-Bennett High School Percussion Ensemble was formed in 2002 under the direction of Mr. Jason Walsh, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion. The ensemble has performed at the Tennessee Music Education Association State Convention and the Music for All National Percussion Festival. They have also sponsored several “Days of Percussion” to enhance percussion education in the region and have performed and sponsored clinics with such artists as Paul Wertico (Pat Metheny), Jeff Queen, Arthur Lipner, Dr. Andy Harnsberger, Dr. Eric Willie, Dr. Andy Bliss, Dr. Rande Sanderbeck and Matthew Richmond. The Percussion Ensemble is an integral part of the Dobyns-Bennett instrumental music program as a whole and has had several members participate in both regional honor bands and the Tennessee All-State Band and Orchestra. Dobyns-Bennett was the first school (high school or college) to represent the State of Tennessee at PASIC when they won the Percussive Arts Society’s "Call for Tapes " in 2010.
Mr. Walsh is an active adjudicator and consultant in the region and a member of the Innovative Percussion family as well as a member of the Percussive Artist Society and a regional artist for Pearl/Adams Percussion Instruments. He has served as PAS's East Tennessee coordinator for percussion activities. Mr. Walsh has a five year old son named Miles.
He is very excited to be a part of MNPS and looks forward to working with everyone in the area.
