Jarrett Lipman is the Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. Mr. Lipman joined the Vandegrift community in the spring of 2024 and is so excited to be a part of such an incredible team of students, teachers, parents, and administrators. Mr. Lipman also works with the incredible Boston Crusaders Drum Corps performers, where he serves as the Brass Caption Manager.

From 2008-2023, Mr. Lipman served the students and community at Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson High School (CTJ) in San Antonio, Texas. During his fifteen years at CTJ, Mr. Lipman established a tradition of excellence on the concert stage and the marching field. Mr. Lipman was a part of the inaugural staff of CTJ in 2008 as an Assistant Band Director before his promotion to Head Director in 2010. Under his leadership, the CTJ Wind ensemble was a consistent Texas State Honor Band Finalist and performed at the 2019 Mid-West Clinic. On the field, the CTJ Marching Band was named the 2020 UIL 6A State Marching Champions and was a multi-time Grand National Finalist and BOA Regional Champion.

Currently, Mr. Lipman is studying for a Ph.D. in Education Leadership, Planning, and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin. He has worked as a part-time lecturer at Texas State University in the Music Education program. From 2010-2016, Mr. Lipman was a Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps Brass Staff member.

In partnership with PBSL-USA, the Docentus Group, Educational Travel Adventures, and TMF, Mr. Lipman’s company, BandworX, specializes in instructional coaching for band directors and music teachers. He also regularly presents professional development sessions focusing on creating a culture of excellence, recruiting and retaining students, and building relationships. He is passionate about sharing ideas and investing in the growth of other directors in our profession.

Kyle Norris currently an Associate Director of Bands at Vandegrift High School in Austin, Texas. He previously taught at Cedar Park Middle School and at Covington Middle School in Austin ISD.

Mr. Norris is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he attended Union High School. He went on to earn degrees in Music Education and Horn Performance from Oklahoma State University, where he studied horn with Lanette Compton and brass pedagogy with Dr. Ryan Gardner. Mr. Norris performed extensively as a member and section leader of the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Joseph Missal, the Symphonic Band under the direction of Dr. Doug Henderson, as well as the horn octet, horn quartet, and various other chamber ensembles. For two years, Mr. Norris served as Drum Major for the OSU Cowboy Marching Band. Prior to graduating in 2016, he was named Outstanding Senior Music Education Major.

Mr. Norris is a member of the Brass Staff at the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, where he was a member of the mellophone section in 2013 and 2015. In previous summers, he taught on the Brass Staff at the Legends Drum and Bugle Corps and as an education staff member at System Blue.

Mr. Norris’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the International Horn Society. He currently resides in Leander, Texas with his wife, Kat, and their dog, Gus.

Joe Hobbs is in his 4 th year as the Director of Percussion at Vandegrift High school in Austin, TX. Under his direction the Drum Line won the Dripping Springs Drum Line Contest in both 2016 and 2017 as well as the Lone Star Classic in 2018. The Vandegrift percussion ensemble was also selected to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2017. Joe was previously the director of percussion at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, TX. The Newman Smith drum line won both the Plano Drum Line Contest as well as the Lone Star Drum Line Contest. The Newman Smith Drum Line was also invited to present a Marching percussion clinic at the 2015 PASIC Convention.

Joe is currently the Battery Coordinator for the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton, Ohio. Joe previously served as the percussion caption head for The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps from Rosemont, IL from 2015-2018. During this time the percussion section saw a radical change in placement going from 10th place in 2015 to 3rd place by 2017. The group also saw over a 95% retention rate during Joe’s time leading the caption. Before joining The Cavaliers, Joe served on the percussion staff for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps and the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps from Atlanta, GA. Joe was also involved with Music City Mystique as a battery instructor from 2009-2011. He was a member of Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps from 2001-2003. During his time at Southwind, he was named the 2003 DCI I&E Snare drum champion. From 2004-2006 Joe was a member of the Cavaliers snare line. During his time with the Cavaliers, Joe won 2 DCI world championships, 2006 DCI I&E mixed ensemble championship, “Cavalier of the year” and the “Zildjian award” in 2006. Joe received his Music Education degree from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Other teaching experience includes George Rogers Clark High School, Southwind Drum & Bugle Corps, Murray State University, Austin Peay State University, Mt. Juliet High School, Marshall County High School, and Murray High School. Joe is endorsed by Pearl Drums, Innovative Percussion, and Evans Drumheads.​