Ryan Smith
Ryan Smith currently serves as director of bands in the Perry Local School District. Mr. Smith directs the Perry High School Symphonic Winds, Panther Marching Band, and Jazz Ensemble. In addition, he assists with the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands.
Mr. Smith earned his Bachelor’s in Music Education from The University of Akron in 1999, and Master’s in Music Education in 2002. While pursuing his Master’s Degree at the University of Akron, Mr. Smith served as a graduate assistant with both the band and music education departments. His responsibilities included serving as the director of the University Band, teaching various undergraduate methods courses, assisting with the University of Akron Marching Band, and guest conducting both the Symphonic and Concert Bands.
Prior to joining the Perry Bands in 2010, Mr. Smith taught at Lakota West High School for two years. His duties there included directing 3 Freshmen Concert Bands, assisting with the Concert Band, Red and White Symphonic Bands, the Lakota West Symphonic Winds, and the 275 member Lakota West Marching Firebirds. At Lakota, his groups consistently earned Superior ratings at all OMEA Adjudicated events. In addition, Ryan served as director of bands at Huron High School for 6 years.
Ryan holds membership in the Ohio Music Education Association, currently serving as an adjudicator for Solo and Ensemble, Band, Marching Band and as OMEA Band Affairs Chair. Mr. Smith remains active as a saxophonist, having performed with the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Blossom Festival Band, Ray Charles, Clark Terry, Mary Wilson & The Supremes, Maria Schneider, 10,000 Maniacs, & Aretha Franklin.
Karen Martin
Mrs. Karen Martin, a graduate of Perry High School, teaches 7th and 8th grade bands at Edison Middle School, the Perry High School Concert Band, and assists with the marching band at Perry High School.
Mrs. Martin graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The University of Akron. In addition, she was appointed Graduate Assistant in Bands at Akron where she earned her Master of Music degree in Music Education in 1999. While at Akron, she had the opportunity to teach and direct several ensembles including: symphonic band, concert band, university band, and marching bands. In addition, she was in charge of all band staff, organized several honors bands, and taught several summer clinics for music educators. Mrs. Martin has received several honors during her career including: The John Philip Sousa Award, Golden Key National Honor Society, Outstanding Graduate Assistant, and honorary membership to Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.
Mrs. Martin’s public school experience includes two years at Hoban High School, where she was in charge of concert band and marching band, one year in the Minerva School District teaching middle school band and marching band, and six years with the Massillon City School District teaching all middle school concert bands, jazz band, and assistant marching band director.
Joseph Sterling
Joe Sterling is new this year to the Perry Local School District Instrumental Music Staff. Mr. Sterling directs the Pfeiffer 6th Grade Band, the Perry High School Concert Band, and assists with the Perry High School Marching Band.
Mr. Sterling earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Trombone Performance from The University of Akron, and continued his education at Akron as the Graduate Teaching Assistant in Band. During his time at Akron, Mr. Sterling played with numerous student and faculty ensembles including the Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Brass Choir and the Paragon Faculty Brass Quintet. During his time as the Graduate Assistant in Bands, Mr. Sterling was responsible for directing the University Band, as well as assisting with the Marching Band and guest conducting the Symphonic Band and Concert Band.
After graduating in 2003 with his Masters in Music Education, Mr. Sterling began teaching in the Plain Local School District. During his ten years in Plain, he was responsible for teaching and assisting with bands from grades 5-12. Mr. Sterling has also taught Freshman Jazz Band, Jazz II, Concert Band, Music Appreciation, Music Technology, and Music Theory. The Glenoak Concert Band under his direction has consistently received Superior Ratings at OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Events for both the District and State Levels.
Joe holds membership in the Ohio Music Education Association and has served as a site chair for State Large Group Adjudicated Events in the EC Region. Mr. Sterling is also an active Adjunct Professor at The Kent State Stark Campus, where he teaches applied trombone and euphonium. He lives in Canton with his beautiful wife Kelli and his two amazing boys, Carter and Jack.
Greg Wright
Mr. Greg Wright, an alumnus of Perry, assists the 6th Grade Band as well as assisting with the Perry High School and Edison Bands. Mr. Wright joined the Perry instrumental staff in 2002 after serving as a Graduate Assistant in marching Band at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. He has additional graduate coursework at Kent State University, The University of Akron, VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and Malone University. He graduated with honors from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, where he studied conducting with Mark S. Kelly. Mr. Wright attended Bowling Green on a Music Talent Award sponsored by the College of Musical Arts, as well as several academic and music scholarships. He was also active in the National Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi, in which he served in the office of Parliamentarian. He also served as Summer Assistant Marching Band Director for Perry for four years during his undergraduate studies. Mr. Wright’s public school teaching experiences consist of one year at McComb Local Schools and two years at Conotton Valley Local Schools. Mr. Wright has been an active member of music Educators’ National Conference and the Ohio Music Education Association throughout his career.
Darin Good
Mr. Darin Good holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree with a specialization in percussion Pedagogy from West Virginia University. He has been employed as a percussion instructor by The Perry Local Schools since 1998. Mr. Good also has a very extensive private percussion studio. He has led the Perry Percussion Ensemble in performances at the OMEA Convention, February 2007, and the Ohio State Percussion Ensemble Festival, February 2008. In April 2008, he hosted a clinic and concert, at Perry High School, with Bob Becker, xylophone virtuoso. Mr. Good performs in many venues. He is a member of the Tuscarawas Philharmonic Orchestra and the Bethel Temple Praise Band. He has performed with the Canton Concert Band in the percussion section and as a featured soloist. Mr. Good has also played in the pit orchestras, and with country, rock and Dixieland bands.
Madison Nousek
Miss Madison Nousek currently serves the Perry High School Marching Band as the Color Guard Advisor. She has been in this role since 2019.
Miss Nousek’s background in auxiliary stems from her four years marching, choreographing and performing with the Normandy High School Marching Band. Miss Nousek then went on to spend an additional four years with The University of Akron’s Marching Band. During her time with The University of Akron, Miss Nousek led the Color Guard team with her co-section leader for three out of her four years. These years of leadership included choreographing routines, refining her own skills, and teaching essential skills to other members. Her time allowed her the opportunity to travel and perform at both Bosie, Idaho for the Famous Potato Bowl in 2015 and then Boca Raton, Florida for the Cheribundi Tart Cherry Boca Raton Bowl in 2017.
Miss Nousek is currently employed by the Jackson Local School District as an 8th Grade English-Language Arts teacher at Jackson Memorial Middle School. Her love of teaching can be seen through her dedication to her students both on and off the field. Many of Miss Nousek’s former students have gone on to perform at the collegiate level.
