Mr. Joseph Craig - Director of Bands
Mr. Joseph Craig

Joe Craig joined the Larry A. Ryle High School Music Faculty in the summer of 2017 as Director of Bands. During his time at Ryle, the Marching Raiders have been named a Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) 5A State Finalist in 2017, 2019, 2021, and most recently in 2022. In addition to the Marching Band, Mr. Craig oversees the Jazz Ensemble and the prestigious Honors Wind Symphony.

Prior to his time at Ryle, Mr. Craig taught at Beechwood High School in Ft. Mitchell Ky.  During Mr. Craig’s tenure, the Beechwood Marching Band was an 11-time KMEA State Finalist, a 7-time KMEA State Champion, a 5-time Bands of America (BOA) National Semi-Finalist, and a 2-time BOA Class A National Champion. 

From 2011-2013, Mr. Craig was the State Jazz Chair for KMEA. Mr. Craig also served as the KMEA State Band Chair and Chair-elect from 2018-2022. In 2007, 2011 and 2015, Mr. Craig was awarded the “Certificate of Merit for Marching Excellence” by the National Band Association. Mr. Craig was also awarded the Phi Beta Mu “Outstanding Young Band Director” for the state of Kentucky in February of 2014. Most recently, Mr. Craig was selected as the KMEA High School Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022. 

Mr. Craig received his bachelor’s degree (BME) from Northern Kentucky University and his master’s degree (MM) in saxophone performance at the College Conservatory of Music (CCM) – University of Cincinnati. Mr. Craig has performed with the Cincinnati “Pops” Orchestra, the Kentucky Symphony, and numerous local professional ensembles. Mr. Craig currently resides in Union, KY with his wife Christina.

Mr. David Jump - Assistant Director of Bands
Mr. David Jump

David Jump joined the Larry A. Ryle High School Music Faculty in the Summer of 2019 as the Assistant Band Director. Mr. Jump has enjoyed assisting the Marching Raiders as they were selected as 2019, 2021, and 2022 KMEA State Finalist in the class of 5A. Mr. Jump assists with the visual and music aspects of the marching program, working with students on individual  marching technique as well as individual and sectional music performance. Mr. Jump oversees and directs the Symphonic Band and the Percussion Ensemble during the school day at Ryle.

Prior to his appointment as Assistant Director of Bands, Mr. Jump served as the Band and Choir Director at Martin County Middle School in Warfield, Kentucky for five years. As Band and Choir Director at Martin County, Mr. Jump oversaw the middle school instrumental and choral programs and assisted with the Martin County High School music program. Under Mr. Jump’s direction, the Middle School Bands and Choirs consistently received distinguished ratings at KMEA District 9 Concert Assessment and grew from 50 to 160 students over 5 years.  Additionally, students from Martin County were regularly selected for various honor bands and choirs at the local, regional, and state level.   Mr. Jump served as the KMEA State Jazz Chair from 2020-2021 and oversaw the KMEA All-State Jazz Ensembles. 

He  received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Morehead State University in May of 2014 and received his Master’s in Music Education in May of 2022.  While at MSU he participated in numerous performances with the MSU Symphony Band as a member of the saxophone section, as well as performances with the MSU Jazz Band, Saxophone Ensemble, University Chorus, and Saxophone Quartet. Mr. Jump grew up in Northern Kentucky and is a graduate of Highlands High School in Fort Thomas. He currently lives in Crescent Springs, Kentucky with his wife Sarah.

Mr. Jesse Gibbs - Associate Director of Bands
Mr. Jesse Gibbs

Jesse Gibbs joined the faculty as the Director of Bands at Gray Middle School in the summer of 2019.  Mr. Gibbs is an accomplished educator whose primary mission is to share the joy of music through teaching and learning. The Gray Middle School Bands serves over 200 students Grades 6-8, the GMS Bands have earned Distinguished Ratings at KMEA Large Group Assessment, Gray students have earned positions in honor bands throughout the area, and he is serving as Assistant Band Director for Ryle HS assisting them in making multiple appearances as KMEA State Marching Band 5A Class Finalist.  In the classroom, he previously served as Music Teacher at Burlington Elementary, Interim Band Director at Lloyd High School and Tichenor Middle School, Assistant Band Director/General Music Teacher Grades 5-8 at Maurice Bowling Middle School, and he was the Director of Bands/General Music Teacher K-12 at Silver Grove Schools. Mr. Gibbs has extensive experience outside that classroom teaching at Ryle High School, Beechwood High School, Highlands High School, Campbell County High School, and Goshen High School. 

Mr. Gibbs received his Bachelor’s Degree In Music Education from Northern Kentucky University and received his Master’s Degree in Education:Teacher as Leader also from Northern Kentucky University. Mr. Gibbs’ performance experience includes performing with the Fillmore Wind Band, NKU Symphonic Winds, NKU Jazz Ensemble, and schools and churches through the Tri-State Area. He is a graduate of Goshen High School in Goshen, Ohio and currently resides in Florence, Kentucky with his wife Michelle and his two daughters, Emily and Molly.  

Mr. Trevor Webb - Associate Director of Bands
Mr. Trevor Webb

Trevor Webb joined the faculty as Assistant Band Director at Gray Middle School in the summer of 2019. Mr. Webb is an educator and trumpet player in the greater Cincinnati area. Originally from Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, he is primarily a teacher and has maintained an active studio of 10-20 trumpet students in Kentucky, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Kansas since 2014.

As a performing musician, Mr. Webb held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Northland Symphony Orchestra (MO) from 2020-2023 and has subbed with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra (GA), Columbus Symphony Orchestra (GA), Kansas City Civic Orchestra (KS), and the Kinnor Philharmonic (KS). He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Louisville, a Master of Music from Columbus State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Missouri- Kansas City.