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Ira Jenkins (Atlanta, Georgia) joined the Decatur High School (Georgia) faculty as Director of Bands in 2022. Prior to that appointment, he was the Director of Bands at Alpharetta High School. During his time at Alpharetta, the marching band consistently received superior ratings in all captions at all contests. The band placed first in class at numerous competitions and was named Class AAA champion at their first appearance in a Bands of America Regional Championship. The Alpharetta Band program also has three very competitive winter guards and a strong indoor percussion ensemble. During Jenkins’ time at Alpharetta, the varsity winter guard and percussion ensemble were Winter Guard International (WGI) regional champions. In 2019, the varsity winter guard was a WGI Finalist. The percussion ensemble was the 2022 Georgia Indoor Percussion Association Scholastic A champion. Prior to Alpharetta, Jenkins taught in the following school districts: Atlanta Public, Cobb County, Fulton County, Ossining (New York), and Ridgewood (New Jersey). His bands consistently earned superior ratings at performance evaluations. Jenkins’ students have earned chairs in county and district honor bands as well as all-state bands and university honor clinics. For over 20 years, Jenkins has been a visual caption head, color guard caption head, and director of numerous winter guard programs throughout the east coast. His professional affiliations include adjudication with Bands of America, Winter Guard International, Drum Corps International, and numerous state circuits. He is currently the vice president of the Southern Association for Performance Arts, the winter guard circuit based in Georgia. Jenkins completed his undergraduate degree at Florida A&M University and Georgia State University. He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership from Kennesaw State University and an education specialist degree in music education from the University of Georgia. Jenkins is completing a Doctor of Philosophy degree with a concentration in music education at Georgia State University, with an anticipated graduation in 2024.