What advice would you give to a first-year band director entering the profession today?

Begin every day being thankful that you get to teach children and you get to use music to reach them. Center your entire educational philosophy on your love and admiration of your children. Make them your focus and use music to make them feel valued.

Jody Dunn is a 1986 graduate of Crestview High School, where he now holds the position of band director. He went on to earn his music education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, in 1990. While at USM, he was a member of the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band, in which he served as section leader and vice-president. He was a member of the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab I, and the Trombone Choir. He performed with USM Chorale, Men’s Choir, and was a founding member of the USM Jazz Singers.

Upon graduation from USM, Mr. Dunn accepted the position as director of the Pickering High School Band in Leesville, Louisiana. Under his direction, the band received its first-ever Superior ratings. In 1993, he returned to his hometown of Crestview and became the Assistant Director of the Richbourg Middle School Band and Chorus until 1996. From 1996 to 2006 Mr. Dunn was the Associate Director of Bands at Crestview High School. While serving as the associate director, he was the visual coordinator of the marching band as well as the director of the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble II. He assumed his current position as Director of Bands at Crestview High School in 2006. He conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble I, and oversees three additional concert bands, percussion, chamber winds, and the Big Red Machine marching band. Under his direction, the Crestview Band has received the Otto J. Kraushaar Award several times.

In 2011, Mr. Dunn was a clinician/conductor for the Southeastern United States Honor Band at Troy University. In 2012, the Crestview High School Band was featured in the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. In 2014, the Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In February of 2017, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic in Troy, Alabama. In the spring of 2019 and 2023, Mr. Dunn served as the guest conductor of the Matanuska-Susitna Honor Band in Palmer, Alaska. In January of 2020, he was the conductor of the Florida All-State High School Honor Band. In the spring of 2023, he was the guest conductor for the South Pointe Middle School Wind Ensemble’s (Diamond Bar, California) performance at  Symphony Hall in Boston, Massachusetts, where he returned to conduct the Crestview Wind Ensemble in April of 2026.

Mr. Dunn is active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the southeast. He has served on the state executive board of the Florida Bandmasters Association. He recently chaired the FBA Ethics Committee and currently serves as the chairman of the FBA Marching Band Task Force. He is a recipient of the Certificate of Merit from the National Band Association. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Florida Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, the National Band Association, the American School Band Directors Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, in which he has served as President of the Omega Chapter and currently serves as a member of the International Board of Directors. He was the recipient of the 2020-21 Florida Bandmasters Association Oliver Hobbs Award. In December of 2025, he was named a Legion of Honor Laureate by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. In January of 2026, Mr. Dunn was elected to the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame. In January of 2028, he will conduct the California All-State Golden State Band.

Jody is the proud father of Olivia, Elizabeth, Joseph, and Elijah.