Mitchell Reed is a life-long musician and educator who has been fortunate to have many educational, performance, and professional experiences. Mitchell is a native of Gloucester, Virginia and holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. While attending VCU, Mitchell studied trumpet with renowned Yamaha performing artist Dr. Rex Richardson, as well as, studying conducting and music education with Dr. Terry Austin. Mitchell was a four year member of the VCU Wind Ensemble, Commonwealth Singers and Trumpet Ensemble and was fortunate to perform in China, at Carnegie Hall and at the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament.
Upon graduating from VCU, Mitchell was named the Director of Bands at West Point Middle and High School in West Point, Virginia. Under Mitchell’s leadership, the West Point bands saw extraordinary growth. Mitchell added new ensembles and guided the program to it’s first ever Virginia Honor Band designation. Mitchell spent six years teaching grades 6-12 and was named the West Point High School and West Point Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2015.
In 2016, Mitchell accepted a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. At USF, Mitchell assisted the 320 member Herd of Thunder Marching Band, the USF Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Concert Band. Mitchell was a teaching assistant for undergraduate classes in Instrumental Conducting, Brass and Woodwind Methods and Instrumental Music Education courses. Mitchell assisted with the planning and operation of the CBDNA Southern Conference and the USF Honor Bands. Mitchell earned his master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting in 2018 and was fortunate to study conducting under Dr. Matthew McCutchen, Dr. John Carmichael and Dr. William Wiedrich.
Mitchell was named the Director of Bands at Newsome High School in Tampa, Florida in 2018. Under Mitchell’s direction, the Newsome concert bands, marching band and jazz ensemble earned superior ratings in all three years of Mitchell’s tenure. The Newsome Band saw growth to over 200 total students in 2020 and was among the largest and most comprehensive programs in the region. The Newsome Marching Band performed at the 2019 National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C. and was scheduled to perform in Rome, Italy at the Rome New Year’s Parade before Covid canceled those plans. The Newsome Band program included WGI Indoor Percussion and two indoor Winter Guards. All groups were perennial favorites in their respective FFCC and WGI competitive circuits. Mitchell served as the All-County Band Chairperson for the Hillsborough All-County Band and was tapped to serve as an All-State Honor Band Coordinator in 2022.
Mitchell has an extensive background in the marching arts as a performer, educator, clinician, adjudicator and designer. Mitchell has performed with The Cadets and Jersey Surf and spent three seasons on the brass staff of the Jersey Surf. Mitchell is currently a Band Director at Hickory High School in Chesapeake, Virginia and enjoys boating, fishing, golfing and spending time with his amazing wife, Mindee, and dog, Kala!