Michael J. Payne
Rank 1/National Board Certified Teacher (2020)
M. Ed Leadership Studies, University of Kentucky (2013)
B.M. in Music Education, University of Kentucky (2007)
SCAPA/Lafayette High School (2003)
email: michael.payne@fayette.kyschools.us
Tel: 859-381-3308 x 50306
Michael J.Payne is the Director of Bands at Bryan Station High School, where he conducts the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. Mr. Payne also coaches the chamber ensembles and directs the BSHS “Pride of the Northside” Marching Band. Other assignments include assisting the Bryan Station Middle School 8th Grade Band and beginning band at Deep Springs Elementary. Within the music education professional community, Mr. Payne currently serves as President of KMEA District 7, representing the music education community in Central Kentucky. He previously served as Band Chair from 2017-2019 and President-elect from 2019-2021.
Before returning to Bryan Station, Mr. Payne was the Director of Bands at George Rogers Clark High School and coordinator of band activities for the Clark County Public Schools. Mr. Payne led the band through the transition to the new school building, establishing new traditions and expanding on the proud heritage of bands in Clark County with distinguished performances in Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Ensembles, Pep Band, and Marching Band.
Before GRC, Mr. Payne served for three years as the Assistant Director of Bands for Bryan Station High School, leading the freshman concert band and assisting with the marching and symphonic band.
Prior to returning to Central Kentucky, Mr. Payne was a Band Director at New Castle Chrysler High School and New Castle Middle School in New Castle, IN, helping the marching band attain its highest finish ever in the ISSMA Indiana State Finals (4th). Before New Castle, he was the Assistant Band Director at Belzer Middle School in Lawrence Township/Indianapolis, IN.
Mr. Payne has been a Music and Visual Tech for State Champion and Band of America Grand National finalists Lafayette (KY) and Lawrence Central (IN) HS Marching Bands. He also taught as a visual tech with Drum Corps International finalist Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps from Lacrosse, WI.
Mr. Payne lives in Lexington with his wife, Sarah, who serves as the Orchestra Director at Frederick Douglass High School. They have two kids, Olivia and Benjamin.
Assistant Director
Jacob Smith
B.M. in Music Education, University of Kentucky (2021)
South Laurel High School (2017)
email: jacob.smith3@fayette.kyschools.us
Tel: 859-381-3308 x 50306
Jacob Smith is the Assistant Director of Bands at Bryan Station High School. Mr. Smith assists and leads instruction with all aspects of the band program, including the concert bands, athletic bands, and chamber ensembles. He also instructs two VPA classes and the instrumental music portion of the StationArts Special Academic Program.
While at UK, he studied percussion with Mr. Jim Campbell, Music Education with Dr. Michael Hudson, and conducting with Dr. Marcello Cormio. Mr. Smith was the recipient of the 2018 Elaine Gould Memorial Percussive Award, and the 2019 James B. Campbell Percussive Award. In May of 2019, he performed with the University of Kentucky Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In the summer of 2019, he was the Principal Timpanist for the Prague Summer Nights Music Festival which toured the Czech Republic, performing in the town of Tabor and Prague, Czech Republic. Performance venues here included the Oskar Nedbal Theatre, the Rudolfinum, and the Estates Theatre. In March 2020, Mr. Smith performed a concert as a section percussionist with the United States Air Force Band in their 2020 Educational Tour.
Mr. Smith’s teaching experiences include:
– Percussion instructor for South Laurel High School from 2017 to 2021.
– Percussion instructor for Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in 2021.
– Percussion private lessons instructor for Madison Central High School.
– Student-teacher for the Bryan Station High School Band and James Lane Allen Elementary Music class.
– Substitute teacher for Fayette County Public Schools Spring 2022.
Additional Staff:
Kevin Christie – Drill Writer and Brass Staff
Kevin Christie is a native of Humboldt, Tennessee and holds a Degree in Music Education from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Music Degree from Morehead State University. Mr. Christie began his teaching career in 1998 and has held positions in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas. Throughout his career, his middle and high school bands have consistently received Distinguished and Superior Ratings at district, state and national level festivals and competitions, in concert, marching and jazz band. Mr. Christie marched as a member of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps and taught as brass instructor for Southwind Drum and Bugle Corps. He is a member of NAfME, KMEA, Phi Beta Mu and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity and has served in a number of District and State offices for the Kentucky Music Educators Association.
Bryan Station Bands 