Brett Myers was announced as the new Director of Bands in April 2012. Mr. Myers is currently in his 13th year of teaching and his eighth as Director of the Hillsboro Band Program after previously serving as Director at Hamilton, Illinois and Cambridge, Illinois respectively. He received his Bachelor’s Degree from Culver Stockton College in 1999 and his Master’s Degree from Western Illinois University in 2004. While at Western Illinois, Mr. Myers served as Graduate Assistant of University Bands including the Marching Leathernecks and the Western Illinois University Wind Ensemble. Mr. Myers’ responsibilities in the Hillsboro Band Program include: Director of the Marching Hawks, High School Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Eighth Grade Band. Mr. Myers’ was also Director of the 2009 and 2010 MCCGA Regional “A” Champion Hillsboro Indoor Winter Percussion Unit.

Mike Sestak is an Assistant Director of the Marching and Concert Bands, and is the percussion instructor and arranger. He was with the Music Department of the Jefferson City Public Schools in 1984-1985, returned in 1988 and has been here since. He has been a staff member of the Jefferson City Public Schools since 1993.

Mr. Sestak received his Bachelor of Science in Education and Music Certification from Truman State University and Lincoln University. He was a 1984 member of the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps of Rosemont, Illinois.

Diane Ackmann joined the Jay Band Staff in August 2007 as Band Director for Lewis and Clark Middle School and as Assistant Director for the Marching and Concert Bands at Jefferson City High School.

A native of St. Louis, she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, with additional graduate work at Indiana University.

Mrs. Ackmann has taught in public schools in Missouri, Indiana and Oklahoma, where she served for 19 years as a member of the Band Staff with Union Public Schools-Tulsa. She has been the recipient of numerous teaching awards and accolades, including Teacher of the Year, as voted by her colleagues. Mrs. Ackmann is active as a professional flutist, clinician and adjudicator.

Dan Brewer is Band Director for Thomas Jefferson Middle School and an Assistant Director for Marching and Concert Band.