Mr. Ryan Ross is entering his 4th year as the Director of Bands at Jupiter High School. Originally from Chester, New York, Mr. Ross earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Florida Atlantic University (2013) and most recently earned his Master’s Degree in Music Education from The University of Florida (2019).
During his Undergraduate studies at FAU, he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Percussion ensemble, and the FAU Marching Owls. Mr. Ross was fortunate to study under the baton of Dr. Kyle Prescott and studied percussion with Warren Gallic, Jeff Kraus, Tony Lavender, Neel Shukla, and Benjamin Charles. During his Graduate studies, Mr. Ross took part in the distance learning Masters from The University of Florida so he could continue to teach while attaining his Masters. Mr. Ross focused on the fundamental research, theory, and philosophy behind music education. While doing so, he dove deeper into the understandings of music theory, world music, and popular music.
Mr. Ross spent 4 seasons in STRYKE Percussion ensemble and was part of the group that was promoted to WGI World Class. He received 2 silver medals in his first 2 years in the group and would later go on to be the Front Ensemble coordinator in the inaugural season of STRYKE percussion 2, winning the A class gold medal. Mr. Ross would then spend the next two seasons as the associate director of SP2. He has also performed with the Newburgh Symphony, and holds principal percussion seats for the Orchid City Brass Band, and Palm Beach Winds.
Before coming to Jupiter High School, Mr. Ross was the front ensemble technician for Jupiter High School, Coral Glades High School, and Stoneman Douglas High School. He spent three years resurrecting L.C. Swain middle school, ultimately receiving the bands first superior in school history. He is very proud of the accomplishments he has earned since coming to Jupiter, including a 3rd place FMBC finish with best-in-class music in 2018, a 4th place finish with best-in-class music, visual, and percussion in 2019, a 1st place FFCC and 2nd place WGI open class finish in 2021, a performance in the 2020 half time show with Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, and was named Palm Beach County’s “My Teacher, My Hero” award winner for Passion for Teaching in 2018.
Mr. Ross is a district approved clinical educator to train future teachers and holds associations with the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, and Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Christopher Moore is a native of Charleston, West Virginia, and is a 2003 graduate of George Washington High School. Mr. Moore graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University with a degree in Music Education and earned his M.S. in Music Education from Towson University. Mr. Moore was selected as a 2019 Grammy Music Educator Quarter-finalist, one of only 188 from over 2800 nominations. Mr. Moore joined the Jupiter High School band and choir programs in 2015, where he teaches the jazz ensemble and Warrior Chorus. He helped Spirit achieve two FMBC State Championships in 2015 and 2016, and has led the JHS Chorus program to multiple District and State level Superior ratings.
Mr. Moore has taught at the International Summer Jazz Academy in Krakow, Poland and has studied jazz and classical saxophone with Curtis Johnson, Jonathan Brink, Dr. David Wright, and Chief Musician Michael Bayes and Petty Officer 1st Class Jonathan Yanik of the United States Navy Band. Mr. Moore played mellophone in the WVU Mountaineer Marching Band, and saxophone with the WVU Jazz Ensemble 1 and Wind Symphony. He also marched three DCI tours with the Capital Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps from Columbus, OH.
Mr. Moore was a Graduate Assistant for the Towson University (MD) TIGER Marching Band which was the featured University marching band in the 2009 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. At TU, he studied conducting with Dr. Dana Rothlisberger, former Director of Bands. Mr. Moore performed at the 2010 Navy Band Saxophone Symposium at George Mason University for a master class presented by world-renowned saxophonist Philippe Geiss.
Mr. Moore’s wife, Danielle was a member of the Phantom Regiment Color Guard, and currently leads the Martin Co. HS and Dwyer HS Color Guard programs. She has also judged marching bands and winter guards in Tournament of Bands and Tournament Indoor Association in the mid-Atlantic. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two awesome boys, Wesley and Wyatt!
Mr. Moore can be reached at C.Moore@palmbeachschools.org.