Riverton High School
Jason Weimer - Director of Orchestra and Band
Jason Weimer is the Director of Instrumental Music at Riverton High School in Riverton, UT. He teaches two curricular symphonic bands, three orchestras, and AP Music Theory. As director he oversees the extra-curricular activities in the instrumental music department including the marching band and the winter color guard. In addition he collaborates and coordinates program functions with the other Directors including concerts, fundraisers, tour/ travel and all other activities.
Over the past 12 years Riverton has seen remarkable success, qualifying for State Festivals in Band, Orchestra, Jazz, and Solo and Ensemble, in addition to winning a State Championship in marching band in 2013 and placing in the top three 10 out of 12 times the subsequent years.
Jason serves on the Show Host Committee for the Utah Music Educators Association Marching Band Committee where he works with his peers on developing policy for the marching band circuit. He is a licensed adjudicator in the state of Utah for music festivals in addition to adjudicating for other extra-curricular marching arts events.
Jason's teaching experience extends to his graduation from high school when he began helping out with his alma mater. Since then he has taught at West Jordan, Copper Hills, Jordan, and Riverton High Schools as well as the University of Utah - Marching Utes and Weber State University Indoor Percussion.
Jason holds his Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Utah and a Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan. He has presented at the Utah Music Educators conference three times as well as the Instrumental Music Teachers Educators conference in 2019 and the National Association for Music Education conference in November of 2020. Through his career he has been recognized by the Riverton PTSA and received four Silver Apple Awards in addition to a Trailblazer Award, in 2025 he received the Riverton City Choice award for teachers, later that year he was honored to receive the Barry Manilow Music Teacher Award for the state of Utah from the Manilow Music Foundation.
In his free time Jason's biggest passion is cooking for his wife Kari, he also enjoys playing flag football each spring, watching football in the fall and hockey in the spring, writing and arranging music, playing video games, and spending quality time with Kari and their dogs Sabine and Tillie.
Over the past 12 years Riverton has seen remarkable success, qualifying for State Festivals in Band, Orchestra, Jazz, and Solo and Ensemble, in addition to winning a State Championship in marching band in 2013 and placing in the top three 10 out of 12 times the subsequent years.
Jason serves on the Show Host Committee for the Utah Music Educators Association Marching Band Committee where he works with his peers on developing policy for the marching band circuit. He is a licensed adjudicator in the state of Utah for music festivals in addition to adjudicating for other extra-curricular marching arts events.
Jason's teaching experience extends to his graduation from high school when he began helping out with his alma mater. Since then he has taught at West Jordan, Copper Hills, Jordan, and Riverton High Schools as well as the University of Utah - Marching Utes and Weber State University Indoor Percussion.
Jason holds his Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Utah and a Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan. He has presented at the Utah Music Educators conference three times as well as the Instrumental Music Teachers Educators conference in 2019 and the National Association for Music Education conference in November of 2020. Through his career he has been recognized by the Riverton PTSA and received four Silver Apple Awards in addition to a Trailblazer Award, in 2025 he received the Riverton City Choice award for teachers, later that year he was honored to receive the Barry Manilow Music Teacher Award for the state of Utah from the Manilow Music Foundation.
In his free time Jason's biggest passion is cooking for his wife Kari, he also enjoys playing flag football each spring, watching football in the fall and hockey in the spring, writing and arranging music, playing video games, and spending quality time with Kari and their dogs Sabine and Tillie.
Chris Jessee - Director of Percussion and Jazz
Christopher Jessee is the Director of Percussion and Jazz at Riverton High School in Riverton, UT where he teaches the Percussion Ensembles, Jazz Ensembles, Marching Band, and Guitar classes.
Prior to his current position, Chris taught private lessons and marching band at Utah State University, KSM Music, Sky View High School, and Riverton High School. In addition to teaching, he is an active adjudicator and arranger.
Mr. Jessee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Utah State University. He has studied privately with Jason Nicholson, Ulysses Owens Jr, Steve Lyman, Jay Lawerence, and Dan Chamberland.
Chris performs regularly with various jazz groups in the Salt Lake area. He has performed with the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, American Festival Chorus, Larry Smith Kicks Band, and Weber State Indoor Percussion. He has performed around the states and toured internationally in Italy, Switzerland, and France.
In his free time, Mr. Jessee enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, snowboarding, and reading. He loves spending time with his wife, Eliza and their three sons.
Prior to his current position, Chris taught private lessons and marching band at Utah State University, KSM Music, Sky View High School, and Riverton High School. In addition to teaching, he is an active adjudicator and arranger.
Mr. Jessee holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Utah State University. He has studied privately with Jason Nicholson, Ulysses Owens Jr, Steve Lyman, Jay Lawerence, and Dan Chamberland.
Chris performs regularly with various jazz groups in the Salt Lake area. He has performed with the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, American Festival Chorus, Larry Smith Kicks Band, and Weber State Indoor Percussion. He has performed around the states and toured internationally in Italy, Switzerland, and France.
In his free time, Mr. Jessee enjoys camping, fishing, hiking, snowboarding, and reading. He loves spending time with his wife, Eliza and their three sons.
Drew Holland - Co-Director of Band and Jazz
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Hidden Valley Middle School
Taylor Ashcraft - Director of Instrumental Music
Taylor Ashcraft is the Director of Instrumental Music at Hidden Valley Middle School in Bluffdale, Utah. He is very excited to have had the opportunity to open a brand new school. Taylor is primarily a Trombone player, but has performing experience with Trumpet, Tuba, Euphonium, Percussion, and Choir.
Formerly, Taylor was the Director of Bands at West Jordan High School from 2017-2020. While at WJHS, he taught 2 levels of concert bands, jazz band, percussion ensemble, beginning percussion, marching band, and AP music theory. Under his direction, the program was able to qualify for State Band and State Jazz festivals for the first time in over 15 years, place 4 students in the Utah All-State Band, grow the marching band by 20% in 2 years, and won a state championship in UCGC Winterguard (2018-19 school year). He is proud to have been the director of the students of West Jordan and they will always hold a special place in his heart.
Taylor currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Brigham Young University. In his free time, Taylor enjoys Utah Jazz basketball, playing video games, riding his motorcycle, hiking, snowshoeing, camping and generally getting outdoors. He is married to his wonderful wife, Sabrina. Together, they have three dogs, Sophie, Milo, and Millie.
Formerly, Taylor was the Director of Bands at West Jordan High School from 2017-2020. While at WJHS, he taught 2 levels of concert bands, jazz band, percussion ensemble, beginning percussion, marching band, and AP music theory. Under his direction, the program was able to qualify for State Band and State Jazz festivals for the first time in over 15 years, place 4 students in the Utah All-State Band, grow the marching band by 20% in 2 years, and won a state championship in UCGC Winterguard (2018-19 school year). He is proud to have been the director of the students of West Jordan and they will always hold a special place in his heart.
Taylor currently holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Brigham Young University. In his free time, Taylor enjoys Utah Jazz basketball, playing video games, riding his motorcycle, hiking, snowshoeing, camping and generally getting outdoors. He is married to his wonderful wife, Sabrina. Together, they have three dogs, Sophie, Milo, and Millie.
Oquirrh Hills Middle School
Eric Perkins - Director of Band
James Eric Perkins is a product of the Granite School System, where he attended Churchill Junior High and Skyline High School. He was an avid member of the band programs at both schools. Eric attended the University of Utah where he met his wife in the Marching Band. In his time at the U of U he participated in numerous musical ensembles including the Olympic Spirit Band during the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Eric earned his Bachelor’s degree in 2002, immediately followed by earning his Masters Degree in Instrumental Conducting in 2004.
In 2004, Eric began teaching at Oquirrh Hills Middle School. Since starting at Oquirrh Eric has been granted the Riverton City Choice Award in 2008, and was named one of “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” by School Band and Orchestra Magazine in December 2011. Eric was a recipient of the Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence In Arts Education in 2018. Enrollment in the instrumental music classes has continually grown under his instruction.
Eric is also an advocate for Technology in the classroom. In 2017, he earned his Google Level 1 and Level 2 Certifications. In 2018, Eric earned an endorsement in Educational Technology because he wanted to show that technology could be effectively included in the 21st century music classroom. In 2019, Eric was asked to be the Digital Teacher Leader at Oquirrh Hills Middle School. He is currently working on his ISTE Certification and Adobe Campus Leader.
Professional organization memberships include the National Association For Music Education (NAfME), National Band Association, Utah Music Educators Association (UMEA), the Jazz Education Network (JEN) and a membership with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
Eric currently lives in Kearns, with his loving and talented wife Jenni, and their three amazing children Micah, Hyrum and Alyce. Eric would like to thank his previous teachers for their instruction and support. Eric would also like to thank his administrators for their continued support of music education.
In 2004, Eric began teaching at Oquirrh Hills Middle School. Since starting at Oquirrh Eric has been granted the Riverton City Choice Award in 2008, and was named one of “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” by School Band and Orchestra Magazine in December 2011. Eric was a recipient of the Sorenson Legacy Award for Excellence In Arts Education in 2018. Enrollment in the instrumental music classes has continually grown under his instruction.
Eric is also an advocate for Technology in the classroom. In 2017, he earned his Google Level 1 and Level 2 Certifications. In 2018, Eric earned an endorsement in Educational Technology because he wanted to show that technology could be effectively included in the 21st century music classroom. In 2019, Eric was asked to be the Digital Teacher Leader at Oquirrh Hills Middle School. He is currently working on his ISTE Certification and Adobe Campus Leader.
Professional organization memberships include the National Association For Music Education (NAfME), National Band Association, Utah Music Educators Association (UMEA), the Jazz Education Network (JEN) and a membership with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE).
Eric currently lives in Kearns, with his loving and talented wife Jenni, and their three amazing children Micah, Hyrum and Alyce. Eric would like to thank his previous teachers for their instruction and support. Eric would also like to thank his administrators for their continued support of music education.
Autumn Wood- Director of Orchestra
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Autumn Wood is currently the Director of Orchestras at Oquirrh Hills Middle School. She has served as an assistant teacher with the Mountain West Strings Academy and directed the orchestra program at Monticello Academy. She completed her student teaching in both band and orchestra at Indian Hills Middle School. She regularly leads clinics throughout the Salt Lake Valley, including middle and high schools in Canyons, Jordan, Granite, and Park City School District.
As a performer, Autumn has appeared in numerous solo and ensemble settings. Highlights include performances of Amy Beach’s Violin Sonata and Dvořák’s Bass Quintet (on viola), as well as playing with the Utah Philharmonic and the University of Utah Campus Symphony under the direction of Dr. Robert Baldwin, where she performed works such as Chopin’s La Mer, Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, and Vaughan Williams’ Dives and Lazarus. She has also performed Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God with the Salt Lake Institute of Religion’s orchestra. She is the founding violist of a new chamber quartet alongside cellist Alex Call and violinists Kristen Olsen and Nola Martin. Autumn holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Utah, where she studied violin under Dr. Blanka Bednarz and received chamber music coaching from Dr. Hasse Borup and David Yavornitzky, Principal Bassist of the Utah Symphony. Outside of music, Autumn enjoys sewing, board games, and spending time with her spouse and family. If she could travel anywhere in the world, she would love to visit Hobbiton or check another National Park off her bucket list. |
Erin Williams - Director of Color Guard
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Erin Williams is the director of the Riverton Color Guard Program. She directs the summer and fall team as part of the marching band, as well as the winter guard program. She currently holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music on violin from the University of Utah and works full time inpatient mental health at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.
Her involvement in the color guard community began as a student performer at American Fork High School from 2009-2014. After graduating, she began performing with Wasatch Independent through 2019, performing at WGI World Championships in 2018. Also after graduating, she became one of the staff members for the American Fork Color Guard Program from 2014-2018. In 2018, Erin joined the color guard staff at Riverton, taking over as the director in 2019. Over the past 7 years, Erin has helped lead the program through award winning seasons, while also increasing the skill and size of the program. Riverton's winter program has increased from a single 8-person team, to approximately 40 students across 4 teams. Most recently at state championships, the Cadet team received a gold rating, the Junior team received 3rd place, and the Varsity team received 4th place. In her free time, Erin enjoys crafting, being outdoors, having game nights, traveling, and spending time at home with her 3 cats. |