Staff

Jose Rodriguez is a woodwind tech for CCHS band and has been working with the band since 2021. He graduated with his Bachelors in Music Performance and Spanish from Western Kentucky University in 2018 and his Master’s in Music from Ohio University in 2020. Jose has studied with John Cipolla, Rebecca Rischin, and Spencer Prewitt. Jose currently lives in Hopkinsville and teaches Special Education at Hopkinsville Middle School.

Chasity Lindsey woodwind staff member for Colonel Band. Before coming to Christian County Colonel Band, She served in the USMC where she served as a military flautist in Norfolk VA, Twentynine Palms CA, and Quantico VA. After retiring from the military she received her Bachelors of Flute Performance from UGA. When Chasity is not with the Colonel band she is the owner of Red River Private Music Academy where she helps young musicians sharpen their skills. She is looking forward to an amazing season.

Brandon McKinley is entering his seventh year as a Music Educator. Previously, Mr. McKinley was the Band and Choir Director at North Bullitt High School in Shepherdsville, KY. During his time there, enrollment for both band a choir doubled, the first competitive marching band in 30 years took the field in competition in KMEA Class AAA, and the high school band received first place overall at Kings Island’s “Music in the Parks” festival. 

Mr. McKinley also brings experience from other school districts, including Trigg County, where he was the Middle School Band Director and Assistant High School Band Director for 2 years & Hopkins County Schools, where he taught general music and assisted with the Madisonville North Hopkins High School Marching, Jazz, and Concert Bands. 

Mr. McKinley is a native of Hopkinsville, KY and holds both a Bachelors and Masters degree from Murray State University in Music Education. 

During his graduate studies, Mr. McKinley was the graduate assistant to Dr. Todd Hill, Mr. John Fannin, and Dr. Eric Swisher, where he held the title of “Secondary Instructor of Jazz Ensembles & Instructor on record for all MUS 100 Jazz Ensembles”, Staff Member of the Racerband, and taught private trumpet lessons to undergraduate music majors. His primary trumpet teacher is Dr. Eric Swisher. 

Mr. McKinley is also a member of the United States Army, where he serves as a Musician with the 100th Army Band, based out of Fort Knox, KY. Here, Mr. McKinley leads the 100th Army Band’s Big Band and performs for various military events. 

Mr. McKinley is thrilled to return home to Hopkinsville and make a positive impact on his students through music.

Brent Burris is presently entering his 17^th year of education in Muhlenberg County, serving as curriculum specialist/middle school MOVE coordinator for The Renaissance Center. He has served as band director for Muhlenberg County HS, Muhlenberg South HS, Muhlenberg South MS, Glasgow HS, and Cumberland County HS/MS (all in KY). He previously served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Western Kentucky University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Arts in Education degrees. He also holds a Rank I in Educational Leadership from Eastern Kentucky University.

Bands under his direction have made multiple invited appearances at the KMEA In-Service Conference, performed at the Dixie Classic Grand National Adjudicators Festival (Festival Honor Band), and have received the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence. High school and middle school concert bands under his direction have been identified with KMEA’s Exemplary Performance Status. His marching bands have been named Bands of America Grand National Semi-finalists, KMEA finalists, and have also earned numerous distinguished and grand champion awards. The 2007 Muhlenberg South Marching Suns were named the KMEA Class AA State Champion, and were the Class AA Runner-Up in 2008. Students under his direction have been named to the KMEA All-State Symphonic, Concert, and Jazz Bands, All-State Orchestra, University of Kentucky Honors Wind Ensemble, Western Kentucky University Honors Band, Murray State University Quad State, and the Kentucky All-State Baptist Youth Orchestra. From 2015-2022, he served as staff coordinator for the Castle High School band in Newburgh, IN. The Castle band was a multiple BOA Grand National finalist, as well as the BOA Class AAA National champion, Clarksville Regional champion, Indianapolis Super Regional class champion, and Louisville Regional class champion during his tenure.
Mr. Burris has served two terms on the KMEA Board of Directors, while also serving as      President of the Third District Music Educators Association. He has also served on the KMEA Conference Planning Committee, as Band-Chair and Marching Band Committee Representative for District 3, and is a member of Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He was named Outstanding Young Band Director by Phi Beta Mu for the state of Kentucky in 2003, has been twice included in Who’s Who among America’s Teachers, and has received citations from the Kentucky Senate and House of Representatives. His articles, The Grass Isn’t Always Greener, and Be Committed, were published in editions of the Bluegrass Music News, and he has also been a clinic presenter at the KMEA In-Service Conference. He has served as an adjudicator, clinician, and consultant in Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and recently received the KMEA 25-year award.