Todd Ebert , Director Bands, Cuthbertson High School
Todd Ebert is the founder and Director of the Cuthbertson High School Instrumental Education Department. He is presently in his 23rd year of teaching in the public school system and his 14th year at Cuthbertson High School. Under his leadership the Cuthbertson band program has grown from its initial 29 members to over 160 students in three class ensembles, a marching band, jazz band, various small ensembles, and a winterguard and drumline program.
Mr. Ebert received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Armstrong State University and a Masters in Music Education from Western Carolina University. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. He is the founding advisor for Chapter 6143 of the Tri-M Music Honor’s Society, and a member of Pi Kappa Lambda. Mr. Ebert was named “Teacher of the Year” for Cuthbertson High School for 2013/14 and was recognized in 2011 at the Cuthbertson Educator recognition Banquet. Mr. Ebert has been awarded the National Band Associations “Citation of Excellence” 9 times and has been recognized by the Union County Board of Education on numerous occasions for his dedication to the education of his students and their achievements.
Under Mr. Ebert’s baton the Cuthbertson Bands have grown in size, skill, and recognition. In the spring of 2018 the Cuthbertson Blue Note Winds will perform as a Featured Ensemble at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis. This is the second time Cuthbertson has been selected for this event; the last time being in 2015. Mr. Ebert’s ensembles have performed at the North Carolina Music Educators Convention twice, the University of Georgia “JanFest” Honor Band Clinic, and the University of South Carolina Honor Band Clinic. Last year the band performed at the Music For All Southeastern Regional Festival held at Georgia State University and at the North Carolina Honors Band Clinic hosted by Highpoint University. In the fall of 2015 the band was awarded a residency with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. The music video which was created, performed, and produced by the Cuthbertson band students during this residency can be seen on the John Lennon Tour Bus website, the NAMM website, and youtube.
Cuthbertson Bands were created through the shared leadership and vision of Todd and Katie Ebert. As a team they work hand and hand in both the middle and high school to provide musical opportunities to their students.
Katie Ebert , Director of Bands, Cuthbertson Middle School
Katie Ebert is the Director of Bands at Cuthbertson Middle School in Waxhaw NC, having served in this capacity since the school’s opening in 2009. The Cuthbertson Middle School concert bands have consistently earned superior ratings at local, district and regional music festivals. Under Mrs. Ebert’s baton the middle school program has grown to a current enrollment of approximately 340 music students. Mrs. Ebert also serves as the Assistant Director of Bands at Cuthbertson High School. Prior to coming to Cuthbertson, Mrs. Ebert served for five years as the Director of Bands at Snelson-Golden Middle School in Hinesville, GA.
Mrs. Ebert is in her 19th year teaching public school and each of her ensembles continue to experience success. In 2012 the Cuthbertson Middle School 8th grade band was a performing ensemble at the NC music educator’s state convention. The 8th grade band travels to perform annually in Orlando and in 2015 and 2017 the band performed at the Festival Disney competition. The Cuthbertson band is also a regular performing group at the Carowinds Music Festival. In 2017 the band was a performing group at the 2017 NCMEA conference and at the University of Georgia MidFest. In 2018 and 2021 the Cuthbertson Middle School band performed as part of Music for All’s Southeastern Regional at Georgia State University. Mrs. Ebert has directed or assisted with ensemble performances at Music for All’s National Concert Band Festival, the NCMEA state convention, Festival Disney, the Percy Grainger Festival, the Southern Star Music Festival, Universal Studios Theme Park festivals, and the Carowinds Music Festival.
Mrs. Ebert holds a Master of Music Education degree from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC and a Bachelor of Music Education as well as a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah GA. Mrs. Ebert is a graduate of Lassiter High School in Marietta GA, where she served as section leader in the Lassiter Trojan Marching Band, and as principal clarinet in the Lassiter Symphonic I Band. She is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and holds professional associations in the National Band Association, the National Association for Music Educators, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, the South Central District Bandmasters Association, and the Union County Bandmasters Association. Mrs. Ebert was awarded the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence in 2015 and was recognized as Cuthbertson Middle School’s Teacher of the Year in 2016/17. She currently serves as a district representative on the state MPA committee.
Mrs. Ebert recently served as a guest clinician for the South Central and Northwestern All District Symphonic Honor Bands, and she continues to conduct both Distinct and County bands in the Southeast. She resides in Waxhaw, NC and team teaches the Cuthbertson band program alongside her husband Todd. They are the proud parents of their daughter Aramina.
Samantha Liddle, Associate Director Cuthbertson Bands
samantha.liddle@ucps.k12.nc.us
Samantha Liddle is the Associate Director of Bands for the Cuthbertson band program. She is an alumna of Appalachian State University where she earned her BM in Instrumental Music Education and a Certificate of Performance in Clarinet. During her time at ASU, Samantha joined the Epsilon Theta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota. She is still a current member of their alumnae association and continues to embody the principles of service through music. Ms. Liddle also served as the Treasurer and Vice President of the NAfME chapter at the Hayes School of Music.
Ms. Liddle is currently in her 3rd year of teaching. So far in her teaching career, she has had the opportunity to lead marching bands, concert ensembles, choral ensembles, and more. She currently works with the Cuthbertson Symphonic Band, Mighty Marching Cavaliers, Cuthbertson Winterguard, and the Cuthbertson Middle School Ensembles.