Mr. Thrasher began teaching at Milam Elementary in 2019 before moving to Tupelo Middle School in 2020. In 2024, Mr. Thrasher became the Director of Bands for Tupelo Public School District. Mr. Thrasher directs the Tupelo High School Marching Band and Tupelo High School Wind Ensemble. Mr. Thrasher also assists with instruction at both Milam Elementary and Tupelo Middle School. Mr. Thrasher is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Mr. Thrasher also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. 

Mr. Thrasher resides in Tupelo with his wife, Kayla, an elementary school teacher in the Tupelo Public School District, and their daughter, Everly.

Mr. Knox has been with the Tupelo Band program since 2014. He serves as one of the Tupelo Middle School band directors as well as the percussion coordinator for the Tupelo Public School District. Mr. Knox teaches percussion at TMS, fronts the TMS Blue Band, assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, oversees all percussion activities at TPSD, and is the director of Tupelo High School’s winter drumline, Riptide. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in music education. 

Mr. Knox resides in Oxford, MS with his wife, Jill, who also works in education for the Oxford School District.

Mrs. Thompson was first employed as a band director for Tupelo Middle School from 2017-2020 before briefly pausing to attend graduate school at the University of Mississippi. She then returned in 2023 and has been with the Tupelo Band Program ever since. Mrs. Thompson oversees the Milam Elementary Beginner Band program, is co-conductor of the Tupelo High School Symphonic Band, instructs music sectionals at Tupelo High School, is one of the founding co-directors of the Tupelo High School Indoor Winds group, Typhoon, and assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band. She is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education. 

Mrs. Thompson resides in Tupelo with her husband, Ty, an engineer for the Toyota Company, and their son Tyson. 

Mrs. Wallace first joined the Tupelo Band Staff from 1999-2004 but returned in 2021. She assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, co-conducts the Tupelo High School Symphonic Band, assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, instructs music sectionals at Tupelo High School, and is one of the founding co-directors of Typhoon, Tupelo’s Indoor Winds ensemble. Mrs. Wallace also instructs the Tupelo High School guitar class. Mrs. Wallace has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Delta State University and a master’s degree from the Mississippi University for Women in educational leadership. 

Mrs. Wallace resides in Tupelo with her daughter, Bella, a 2024 Tupelo High School Band alum.

Mr. Whitehead joined the Tupelo Band staff in 2023 as one of the band directors at Milam, teaching beginner band. In addition to his instructional duties at Milam, Mr. Whitehead also co-directs Tupelo High School’s winter drumline, Riptide, as well as assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, co-directs the Tupelo High School Concert Band, and assists in percussion instruction at Tupelo Middle School and Tupelo High School. Mr. Whitehead is a graduate of the University of North Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in music education. 

Mr. Whitehead resides in Mooreville with his wife Claire, who works for WTVA. The Whitehead’s are expecting their first child in the Spring.

Mrs. Hercules joined the Tupelo Band Staff in 2024 as one of the band directors at Tupelo Middle School.  Mrs. Hercules conducts the Tupelo Middle School Gold Band, instructs music sectionals at Tupelo High School, assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, coordinates all color guard activities for Tupelo Public School District, and co-directs the Tupelo High School Concert Band. Mrs. Hercules graduated with her bachelor’s degree in music education from Delta State University.

Mrs. Hercules resides in Tupelo with her husband, Taylor, who is the percussion director and assistant band director at Itawamba Community College.