2024 Judges
Music Effect
John Easley
A 1983 graduate of The University of Tennessee at Martin, John D. Easley retired in 2016 after 34 years as a public school band director in the state of Tennessee. His longest tenure was with the Union City School System as Director of Bands for 31 yrs., where the band program boasted membership of approximately thirty eight percent of the student population.
Under Mr. Easley’s direction, the band program flourished, affording his students much success, both individually and collectively. A nationally recognized program, the Union City High School Marching Band is a four time Tennessee Division II State Champion, as well as the winner of ten Bands of America Regional and Super Regional Class Championships, and an eight time finalist at the prestigious Contest of Champions at Middle TN. State University. They have been accepted and marched In The Sunkist Fiesta Bowl Parade, Disney Days Celebration, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. In 2005 and 2009, the UCHS Symphonic Band performed a full concert on the deck of the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In addition to his work with his own bands, John is consistently sought out as a consultant, clinician, workshop presenter, and adjudicator throughout the Southeast. One of the highlights of his career includes his time as a staff member with the United States Army All-American Band in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Easley’s professional affiliations include Phi Beta Mu professional band director fraternity (past president); WTSBOA (past president); Tennessee Music Educators Association (past board member); National Music Educators Association; Past Advisory Board Member for Bands of America; American School Band Director Association, and Tennessee Bandmasters Association. Mr. Easley is also an inductee to the WTSBOA Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Tennessee Band Masters Hall of Fame at the Tennessee Music Educators State Conference.
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John is married to Delana Easley, former UTM Faculty Collaborative Pianist. They have been blessed with a wonderful family, all of whom are involved in music and the performing arts: Benjamin and Sarah Easley, Benjamin is Director of Bands at Nolensville High School, daughters Ella and Harper; Rebecca and Chris Lowry, Rebecca is former Director of Bands at Mill Creek Middle School and Chris is Associate Director of Bands at Rockvale High School, sons James and Issac; and Andrew and Hannah Easley. Mr. Easley is currently the Middle Tennessee Educational Consultant for Amro Music and he and Delana reside in Smyrna, Tn.
Music Ensemble
David Aydelott
David Aydelott is a recently retired band director in Tennessee. Mr. Aydelott taught high school bands in Tennessee at Lexington, John Overton, Ravenwood, Franklin, and Siegel for 29 years. Additionally, he was the Director of Fine Arts in the Williamson County Tennessee School District for two years.
A recipient of the NBA's Certificate of Merit and the Citation of Excellence, Mr. Aydelott is an active clinician and arranger and has served as an adjudicator for DCI and BOA. Music for All named David Aydelott to the "Forty for Forty." In December 2014, the John Philip Sousa Foundation named Mr. Aydelott a Laureate of the Bandworld "Legion of Honor." Mr. Aydelott has held leadership positions in professional music education associations and served two years as a member of the Education Council for the Frist Art Museum in Nashville, Tennessee. He and his wife Renee have two children, Katherine and Meredith.
Visual Effect
Lin Daffron
Lin Daffron was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia but has called Nashville home since relocating to the Davidson County area in 2014. A dancer from the age of 3, the Marching Arts have played an instrumental role in her life since she joined her high school's color guard at age 14. As a performer, Lin has been privileged to perform with various performing ensembles, including The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps, Pride of Cincinnati Winter Guard, and Mikautadze Dance Theater. As an educator, Lin has worked with various scholastic and independent marching and performance art programs across the United States since 2010. Most recently, she has been the acting movement specialist for The Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps hornline since 2019. Outside of the marching arts, Lin holds a master's in occupational therapy and works as an OT Provider for Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She is passionate about fitness, gardening, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Visual Ensemble
Brad Klemmensen
Brad Klemmensen is a freelance drill writer, visual instructor, and adjudicator from Avon, IN. He has served as the Assistant Visual Caption Head for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps since 2023. Prior to his time at Spirit of Atlanta he taught at Carolina Crown from 2016-2018 and The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps from 2019-2022. Outside of drum corps, he has taught several esteemed groups including the Avon High School Marching Black and Gold, The Harrison High School Marching Band, and The Franklin Band from Franklin, TN. His drill has been featured in BOA Regional Finals and Indiana Class A State Finals. Off the field, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Purdue University. He currently resides in Woodstock, GA with his 8-year-old black lab, Obi.
