NHS Band Staff
Jackson Smith
Director of Bands
Mr. Smith began his tenure as the Director of Bands at Neenah High School in 2024. Before teaching in Neenah, he served as the Director of Bands and Music Department Chair at Menasha High School in Menasha, WI as well as middle school band and general music teacher in Pulaski, WI. In 2022 he was nominated to the Wisconsin Music Educators Association ‘Emerging Leaders In Music Education’ program.
At NHS Mr. Smith conducts all three primary concert ensembles, directs all four jazz bands, co-directs the marching and pep bands and conducts the musical pit orchestra.
Outside of school, Jackson enjoys collecting vinyl records, traveling and gigging on drum set.
B.M.E. Trombone Performance Emphasis — Cornell College (Iowa) ‘17
Valerie Spaulding
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Ms. Spaulding has been co-directing the Neenah High School marching and pep bands since 2018.
She works primarily with beginners as an instrumental music teacher at Neenah Middle School. Before teaching in Neenah, she served as a middle school band teacher, general music teacher, pit orchestra conductor, and varsity volleyball coach in Pulaski, WI.
Outside of school, Val enjoys spending time with friends and family, cooking/baking/eating, and performing in pit orchestras and various community groups (clarinet, saxophone).
B.M.E. - University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh '10
Mike Malone
Percussion Instructor
Mr. Malone attended University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire to study classical and jazz percussion.
In 2013 Mike was invited to join The Glenn Miller Orchestra and tour across North America. After returning to UWEC to finish his degree in 2014, Mike began touring with groups including jazz vocalist, Ray Brown Jr, and vocal jazz group, Five By Design.
As a recording musician, Mike can be heard on dozens of albums as both a supporting musician and leader. His debut album as a leader "Overalls & Airplanes" was released in 2013. His diverse skillset has allowed him to be featured musically across numerous styles and settings, and led him to be named "Drummer Of The Year" by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Awards in 2021.
Marie Swanson
Color Guard Coach
Marie Swanson is the Colorguard Coach for the Neenah High School Colorguard, where she brings both passion and firsthand experience to the program. A 2018 graduate of Neenah High School, Marie was a dedicated member of the Colorguard and proudly served as captain her senior year, making her return as a coach especially meaningful.
Outside of coaching, Marie is a Branch Manager at Verve, A Credit Union, where she leads a team committed to supporting the Neenah community and helping members achieve financial well-being. Her work reflects her strong dedication to service both on and off the field.
In her personal time, Marie enjoys volunteering, thrift shopping, and maintaining an active lifestyle.
Emily Pirwitz
Assistant Color Guard Coach
Emily Pirwitz began serving as Co-Color Guard coach at Neenah High School in 2025. Alongside Marie Swanson, Emily works to continue developing the colorguard program while fostering important life skills through the guard experience. Emily is a 2019 graduate of Neenah High School, where she was a member of the colorguard and served as captain during her senior year. Returning to coach alongside Marie is especially meaningful, as they previously performed together as members of the NHS Colorguard and continued to be good friends. The opportunity to return to the NHS Band Program has been significant for Emily to give back to a program that helped her grow throughout high school and beyond.
Outside of coaching, Emily is a Registered Nurse specializing in labor, delivery, and postpartum mother/baby care, and she is deeply passionate about her work. In her free time, she enjoys reading, thrifting, running, and volunteering at Brigade’s Camp Onaway.