Mrs. Kerry (Couch) Waldo, a 2004 Music Education graduate of Stetson School of Music, was recently honored by the Florida Bandmaster’s Association (FBA) at the Florida Music Educators Association Conference with the presentation of the prestigious Oliver Hobbs Award. This highly selective award was presented “in recognition of the consistent and superior performance of your band and your commitment and service to your students in the position of Band Director.” Mrs. Waldo is in her 20th year of teaching in Seminole County, where she currently serves as the Director of Bands at Rock Lake Middle School in Longwood. In this position, her teaching responsibilities include three beginning band classes, a jazz band, a concert band and a symphonic band. Although Rock Lake has fewer than 1,000 students, participation in the band program averages between 250-275 each year! Bands under her direction consistently earn superior ratings at FBA Music Performance Assessments. In 2023, Mrs. Waldo was chosen as the Teacher of the Year for Rock Lake Middle School.

In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Waldo also maintains a strong and active commitment to the mission of the FBA by serving as the District 6 Secretary (2 years), District 6 Chairperson (4 years), and Coordinator of the District 6 All-County Middle School Honors Band (6 years), as well as on the Executive Board of the FBA (4 years) and the FBA Music Committee (2 years).

Effective as a clinician, Mrs. Waldo has been invited to conduct Honor Bands in Flagler, Lake and Hillsborough counties as well as the 2024 Florida All-State Middle School Honor Band. A talented trombonist, she continues to perform with the Southern Winds Symphonic Band as well as the Brass Band of Central Florida.

Finally, Mrs. Waldo believes strongly in her role as a mentor to young band directors. To this end, she regularly serves as a cooperating teacher for music education students from Stetson University and the University of Central Florida.