Directors

Lee Auer - Director of Bands - Mr. Auer has served as Director of Bands at Newark High School since 2016. Prior to his appointment at Newark High School, he served as band director at Heritage Middle School from 2014-2016, and Valley Local Schools in Lucasville, Ohio from 2007-2014.

Mr. Auer enjoys performing regularly with the Heisey Wind Ensemble, and is also a member of the ensemble's Board of Directors. Mr. Auer is also serving as OMEA District 10 President.

Prior to his teaching career, Mr. Auer graduated from Licking Heights High School and earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from The Ohio State University. While attending Ohio State, Mr. Auer performed in the symphonic band, wind symphony, and was a five-year member of the marching band.

Noah Jenkins - Assistant Director, Percussion Instructor, Sound Engineer - Mr. Jenkins graduated from Newark High School in 2017. He currently attends The Ohio State University and is studying to be a commercial pilot within the Air Transportation major.

Mr. Jenkins performs as a member of the percussion section in the Heisey Wind Ensemble. This is Noah’s 5th season working with the Pride of Newark as a percussion instructor.

Kevin Ruppert - Assistant Director, Heritage Middle School Director - Mr. Ruppert is currently the director of bands at Heritage Middle School. This year will mark his second year of teaching. Before coming to Newark, Mr. Ruppert served as the director of choirs at Garfield Middle School in Hamilton, Ohio.

Mr. Ruppert graduated from The Ohio State University in 2021 with a degree in Music Education. While enrolled, he was a member of the saxophone studio, the Men’s Glee Club, as well as the Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony.

Tom Shook - Assistant Director, Show Design - Mr. Shook earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Education from The Ohio State University. He is the retired band director from Licking Heights High School.

Mr. Shook performs with the West High School Alumni Jazz Band, Heisey Wind Ensemble, and the Sharyonim Choir at Temple Beth Shalom.

He continues to substitute teach in several local school districts and teaches private clarinet and saxophone lessons. He and his wife Terry live in Pataskala and spend much of their time with his four grandchildren.