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
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 music 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
Emily Pirwitz
Assistant Color Guard Coach
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.