Jonathan Valentine
Jonathan Valentine, a native of Bristol, Tennessee, is in his fifth year as Director of Bands at Elizabethton High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of South Carolina, where he also earned a Performance Certificate in Saxophone under the instruction of Clifford Leaman, and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Florida.
Since his appointment at Elizabethton High School, Mr. Valentine has led the “Betsy Band” to sustained competitive and artistic excellence. Under his direction, the program has earned four Division II Tennessee State Championships and has consistently been named a finalist at prestigious regional events, including Bands of America and Western Carolina University’s Tournament of Champions. In 2024, the band captured its first Class 2A Bands of America Regional Championship since 1997. During his tenure, the program has also established a WGI Super Regional Medalist Winter Guard, earned the Tennessee Bandmasters Association Sweepstakes Award, and received the ASBDA Award of Distinction for excellence in concert performance.
Prior to his appointment at Elizabethton, Mr. Valentine served as Assistant Director at James F. Byrnes High School and T.L. Hanna High School, and as Director of Bands at Berry Shoals Intermediate School. At Berry Shoals, his ensembles were consistent recipients of the South Carolina Band Directors Association Outstanding Performance Award, were selected as a featured performing ensemble at the 2014 South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference, and were named the 2019 Division III High Scorer at the National Adjudicators Invitational held in Atlanta Symphony Hall. During his tenure at James F. Byrnes High School, the band program achieved Bands of America National Semi-Finalist status and earned two South Carolina 5A State Championships. Mr. Valentine also served on the brass instructional staff of Music City Drum Corps, a World Class ensemble within Drum Corps International, from 2015 through 2021.
An active clinician for middle and high school programs in both marching and concert settings, Mr. Valentine maintains professional memberships in East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association, the Tennessee Music Education Association, and the Tennessee Bandmasters Association. He resides in Johnson City, Tennessee, with his wife, Shawnna, and their daughter, Sarah Beth.
Ethan Wilson
Ethan Wilson is a percussionist and music educator from Middle Tennessee. He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and resides in Elizabethton, Tennessee. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, where he performed with the Band of Blue on xylophone and bass drum.
Prior to his current work, Ethan served as Percussion Director at Smyrna High School for three years, where he also maintained a private lesson studio specializing in drum set, vibraphone, Latin percussion, marching percussion, and composition. He additionally worked with Fairview High School as Front Ensemble Coordinator for the 2025 season.
As a performer in the marching arts, Ethan has performed with Music City Drum Corps, Audio Theater, and Cap City Percussion. His primary performance focus is front ensemble and keyboard percussion, with additional interest and experience in Latin percussion. He has also performed as a piano accompanist for multiple wind players.
Ethan studied percussion under Lalo Dávila, Brian Mueller, Russell Wharton, and Julie Dávila, further developing his skills in both performance and composition.
Some of his hobbies include composing percussion ensemble music, designing marching band shows, and participating in film making. Ethan scores music for film, writes scripts, and directors short films in his free time with his friends.
He believes all students can succeed in percussion when given the right tools, instruction, and support, and is committed to helping each student reach their full potential as a musician.