MEET OUR STAFF

Jeremy R. Ford is a 1997 graduate of the University of Arkansas, and is currently the Director of Bands at Har-Ber High School in Springdale, Arkansas, a position he has held since the new high school in Springdale first opened its doors in 2005.  Mr. Ford has also held the positions of Associate Director of Bands for Springdale Schools in 2004, Director of Bands in Sallisaw, Oklahoma from 1998 until 2004, and Jr. High Band Director in Farmington, Arkansas in 1997.  He served his teaching internship at Springdale’s Helen Tyson Middle School under the instruction of Bob Sivils and at Springdale High School under the instruction of Patricia Ellison.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ford’s bands have received consistent Superior ratings, Sweepstakes Awards, and 1st place designations in marching band, concert band, and jazz band festivals and competitions.  He was named the Young Bandmaster of the Year for the state of Oklahoma in 2002, and received the state’s Outstanding Jazz Director Award from the International Association for Jazz Education in 2003.  The Springdale Har-Ber High School Wind Symphony, under Mr. Ford’s direction, was a featured performer at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2011. The same ensemble received the “Honor Ensemble” designation for the state of Arkansas in 2017 as the state’s most outstanding concert band in its classification.  He is a member of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association and the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmaster’s Fraternity, and currently resides in Springdale with his wife, Amanda, and their three sons Drake, Hayden, and Pierce.

C.J. Morris is currently in his 7th year on staff with the Springdale Har-Ber band program.  As Assistant Band Director, he serves as Director of Percussion for Har-Ber High School and its feeder schools as well as conductor of the Symphonic Band.  C.J. earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2009 and his Masters Degree in Percussion Performance in 2011, both from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

C.J. currently resides with his wife Kelli, daughter Tommi, and son Zachary in Fayetteville, AR and enjoys disc golfing, hiking and camping in beautiful rural Arkansas.

Cara Stevens joined the Har-Ber team in the fall of 2017 as the Fine Arts Secretary, and is excited to be part of Springdale Public Schools.  She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Converse College where she studied piano with Dr. Douglas Weeks.  She has eight years of teaching experience, including serving as music coordinator at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. She also has served as worship leader for nine years where she directed adult and children’s choir as well as served as church pianist.  Her husband, Julius, is the Head Band Director at Springdale High School and they have a two year old son, Luke.