Mr. Smith is currently in his 16th year as a Texas Music Educator. Mr. Smith is a native of Henderson, Texas and received his BM from the Moores School of Music at the University of Houston in 2003. Mr. Smith was inspired to become a band director by his middle school band director, Mr. Tommy Moore. Mr. Smith follows the lead of Mr. Moore by wanting band to be positive force in every student’s life, and for students to become better people and musicians while being in the GHS Band.
While at the Moores School, Mr. Smith studied trombone with Michael Warny and music education with Eddie Green and Tom Bennett. Mr. Smith taught at Cypress Springs HS for 11 years, serving as Assistant Director for 5 years, and Director of Bands for 6 years. While at Cypress Springs, the band earned multiple UIL Sweepstakes awards, as well as being named Best in Class for marching and concert contests. Mr. Smith was Director of Bands at Kempner High School in Sugar Land, Texas in 2014-2015. The KHS Band was a Finalist and Bronze medal winner at the Sam Houston State Marching Festival, and the band earned the UIL Sweepstakes Award, Mr. Smith also assisted the Non-Varsity Concert Band to it’s first Sweepstakes in 9 years.
Mr. Smith is in his 4th year at Georgetown High School, and during his time, the band has enjoyed great success. The Eagle Marching Band has been a finalist at the Vista Ridge Marching Festival and the Texas Marching Classic all 4 years, in addition to winning captions for Best Music, Effect, Visual, Colorguard and Percussion. In 2017, the Eagle Band placed 3rd in the UIL Area D Marching Contest and advanced to the UIL 5A State Marching Contest for the first time in 17 years. The Eagle Band has earned UIL Sweepstakes the past 4 years, and in 2016 and 2018, the GHS Wind Symphony advanced to the TMEA Area D Honor Band round and was runner up to advance to State.
Mr. Smith also assists and conducts the GHS Full Orchestra, which has earned UIL Sweepstakes. In addition, Mr. Smith conducts the GHS Performing Arts Department Musical, which has been nominated twice for Best Orchestra in the GATSMA competition. In 2018, Mr. Smith was an invited guest conductor for the TMEA Region 27 Freshman Band in Houston, Texas.
Mr. Smith is a member of TMEA, TBA, TMAA, the International Trombone Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Mr. Smith lives in Georgetown with his beautiful wife Jessica, and their pets Charley and Ally.
E-mail: smithj9@georgetownisd.org
Mr. Justin A. Smith
Band 9-12
512.943.5100 x7184
Conference Time: 1:00-2:00pm B Days
Ms. Kupetz is currently in her 7th year as a music educator and is very excited to be the new Associate Director of Bands at Georgetown High School! She is a native of Orlando, Florida but is no stranger to Texas!
Ms. Kupetz earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from The University of North Texas where she studied flute with Dr. Mary Karen Clardy and trumpet with Dr. William Pratt and Professor John Holt. While at UNT, Ms. Kupetz served as a College of Music Ambassador and performed with the University Concert Bands, Green Brigade Marching Band, Jazz Lab Bands, Steel Drum Ensemble, and Basketball Band. Ms. Kupetz was a Marching Field Instructor for the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band and the 2016 6A UIL State Marching Band Champions, Flower Mound High School.
Ms. Kupetz was the Assistant Band Director and Director of Color Guard at Canton HS and JH from 2017-2019. While at Canton, her bands received unanimous superior ratings at UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests and in 2018 the Marching Band was named 4A UIL State Marching Band Champions.
From 2019-2021 Ms. Kupetz returned to her home state of Florida where she earned her Masters of Music in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University. While at FSU, she studied conducting with Dr. Patrick Dunnigan and Professor Richard Clary and was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for undergraduate marching band techniques, the Seminole Sound Pep Band, and all Concert Ensembles. Ms. Kupetz is a published researcher in the fields of pre-service marching band skill acquisition and women in band higher education.
In 2021 Ms. Kupetz opened up a new high school in Orlando, FL where she served as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Percussion until 2023. While at Lake Buena Vista High School, Ms. Kupetz taught Band, Percussion, Color Guard, Piano, and AP Music Theory. In just its 1st year of existence, the LBV Marching Band was named Class Champions at the Space Coast Marching Contest and earned a Superior rating at the FBA Marching Band Music Performance Assessment.
Ms. Kupetz is very excited to be teaching at Georgetown High School and looks forward to continuing the legacy of excellence already established by the Eagle Band.
Ms. Kupetz is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma. In her free time Ms. Kupetz enjoys cooking, playing sports, practicing instruments, singing show tunes, and cheering on her favorite sports teams!
E-mail: kupetzl@georgetownisd.org
Jed Leach has had the privilege of being a Percussion Director in Georgetown ISD since the Fall of 2008. Mr. Leach oversees all percussion studies from grades 6-12 at Forbes and Benold Middle Schools and Georgetown High School, as well as teaching marching percussion, percussion ensemble, concert percussion, and assisting with the GHS Jazz Ensemble . Mr. Leach received his BM in Music Education from Morehead State University in Morehead, KY under the tutelage of Frank Oddis and Dr. Brian Mason.
While attending Morehead State, Mr. Leach performed throughout the United States, China, and Brazil with the MSU Percussion Ensemble and Symphony Band. His additional performances with the MSU Percussion Ensemble include being a featured soloist at the North American Brass Band Association Conference, the Kentucky KMEA Conference, and the PASIC 2003 new music showcase. Additionally, his leadership contributions as MSU Drumline section leader helped lead them to a 1st Place finish at the PASIC 2003 Marching Festival.
Mr. Leach is also an alumnus of the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Rockford, Illinois. He was a member of the tenor line in 2001 and played marimba in the front ensemble in 2002, finishing in the top 6 in DCI both years.
As an educator, Mr. Leach was previously the Percussion Director at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park in Canton, Michigan. During his time there, the PCMB placed first in the state marching competition and placed 9th in the BOA Grand Nationals competition. Under his direction, the PCEP Drumline placed 6th and 10th places in WGI Scholastic World Finals in 2007 and 2008, as well as winning the MCGC State Indoor Drumline Championships both years. Mr. Leach has also taught with the KMEA State Champion Lafayette High School band in Kentucky.
Mr. Leach is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and is a proud Artist/Educator for Evans Drumheads, Innovative Percussion sticks and mallets, and Pearl Drums and Adams Musical Instruments.
Outside of work Mr. Leach will most likely be found playing and practicing Disc Golf, or spending time with his wife Kristina and their beloved dogs Rookie and Izzy.
Pearl Drum Innovative Percussion EVANS DRUM HEADS
E-mail: leachj@georgetownisd.org