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Kevin Ford is the founder and Director of the Leadership Conservatory for the Arts at Tarpon Springs High School. He is presently in his twenty-seventh year of teaching in the public school system as the Director of Bands at Tarpon Springs High School. His responsibilities include directing the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Solo and Ensemble Coach, supervising all conservatory performance ensembles, and developing the curriculum for the Conservatory Student Leadership Courses. In addition to his duties at Tarpon Springs High School, Mr. Ford enjoys an active schedule as a leadership speaker, guest clinician, and adjudicator throughout the country. He has also been a nationally accomplished show designer for the past 30 years. Mr. Ford is one of the co-founders of the Inspire…. Music and Entertainment Production Company.
Mr. Ford received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Florida. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Pinellas County Music Educators Association, and serves as a member of the Bands of America Educational Advisory Board. In 2008 and 2011, Mr. Ford was featured in the national publication School Band and Orchestra Magazine for his innovative approach to partnering leadership and the performing arts curriculums. Most recently, he was selected as a Yamaha Master Educator.
Mr. Ford’s performance ensembles have received national recognition and have performed with many professional guest artists. His wind ensembles received top honors performing at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, Chicago Symphony Hall and the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. In 2015, the Tarpon Springs High School Leadership Conservatory for the Arts were awarded the prestigious National Band Association’s Blue-Ribbon Award for program excellence and the John Phillip Sousa International Sudler Shield award in 2009. In 2014, The Tarpon Springs High School Marching Band was awarded Bands of America Grand National Champions and in both 2014 and 2016 the WGI Scholastic World Champions. Additionally, the Tarpon Springs Marching Band was selected to perform in the 2013 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Mr. Ford was inducted into the Music for All Hall of Fame and was selected as the 2015 NAfME National Band Director of the Year. In 2014, he was selected as the Pinellas County School District Educator of the Year and the Pinellas County Music Association Secondary Music Educator of the Year. That same year he was selected by the Florida Department of Education as the Educator of the Year State Finalist runner-up. In 2013, Mr. Ford was selected as a top 100 National finalist for the prestgious Maxwell Leadership Award for Americans. Mr. Ford was the 2005 recipient of The University of South Florida School of Music and Clarion Society Outstanding Teacher Award for his Outstanding Achievements to the Music Education Profession. Most notably, Mr. Ford was selected as the Artistic Designer for The Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Soccer Games in Daejeon Metropolitan City, South Korea.
Mr. Ford currently resides in the Tampa Bay Florida area and is happily married to his wife Jeannine and is the proud father of two daughters, Madison Riele, and Brooklyn Avery.