JONES HIGH SCHOOL

Appoints Trailblazing Female Band Director

Nelson has been a dedicated educator within the Orange County Public Schools system for more than 15 years. Her teaching career began at Lockhart Middle School, where she nurtured concert and beginning bands, jazz bands, and even started an orchestra program. She also taught at Apopka Memorial Middle School and Wolf Lake Elementary School.

Nelson found solace in the “guiding lights” of her high school band director, Rufus Redding, and Dr. Shelby Chipman, who recognized her talent and auditioned her for a life-changing scholarship at Florida A&M University. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Music Education there.

Naomi Nelson’s musical education journey has come full circle.

Not only is she a Jones High School alumna - this year, she is making history as the school’s first female band director in its nearly 75-year history.

“My heart is so overwhelmed with gratitude and awe,” she said. “I have moments that I fight back tears because it is one of the greatest honors of my life to give back to the school that gave me so very much.”

Hailing from Lafayette, Louisiana, Nelson’s journey to becoming a music teacher was anything but conventional. “I initially went to college to study journalism but changed to music because I truly missed playing my saxophone,” she said. “That’s when I decided to study music education.”

As a graduate of Jones High School, she has deep roots in the community and a strong connection to the school’s rich history of tradition and excellence. Nelson not only played the alto saxophone in the band, but also became a drum major from the 10th to 12th grade.

Leading the band was demanding yet glorious, and she cherished the Friday night shows at the Citrus Bowl, now known as Camping World Stadium.

“It was so fun marching and dancing and conducting the band in the stands,” she recalled fondly. “Every week was a major performance experience for us.”

She couldn’t have imagined then that she’d end up as the first female band director for her alma mater.

Nelson said being named Director of Bands at Jones “feels much like holding a precious pearl. It is special, beautiful, rare, and precious. This position is also accompanied by a great expectation to continue the legacy of extraordinary performance and musical excellence.”