Jack Hart received his bachelor’s degree with Cum Laude honors in Music Education K-12 (Instrumental and Vocal Pedagogy) in 1981 from Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach Florida. He further developed his music education by attending numerous workshops and clinics.  These include Southeastern United State Band Clinic at Troy State University, The Tri-State Music Conducting / Band Festival at Florida State University, The 73rd Midwest Band Clinic & Music Technology Workshop at the University of Florida, and the Festival of Winds at the University of South Florida.

Mr. Hart began his teaching career at Leesburg High School in Leesburg, Florida in the Fall of 1982. During his tenure as Director of Bands, he received many superior ratings in Marching, Concert, and Jazz Band. Leesburg High School Band had a rich tradition of traveling which he continued.  He led his band at many events such as the Orange Bowl in Miami Florida, Peach Bowl in Atlanta Georgia, The Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C., and Festival at Sea in Nassau, Bahamas.

In 2002, Mr. Hart accepted the position of Director of Bands at the newly opened East Ridge High School in Clermont, Florida and became the first band director at the school. The school opened that Fall with 82 band members and quickly grew to 190 members. During his time at East Ridge High School his Marching and Concert Bands consistently received superior ratings at District MPA. His jazz band, The East Ridge High Jazz Ambassadors, also excelled and consistently earned Superior ratings on the District and State level. The East Ridge Marching Knights received the title of Grand Champion at numerous FMBC regional events and earned Top 3 in class AAAA FMBC finalists’ performance. Mr. Hart’s Jazz Band consistently received superior ratings and Band of the Day for their many performances at The Lakeside Jazz Festival in Port Orange, Florida.

Mr. Hart retired from East Ridge High School in May of 2022 but continues to have a passion for teaching music and working with young musicians.  With his many years of experience, he’s often called upon by other band directors to share his knowledge with them and their students.   He is a welcome sight in anyone’s band room and makes himself available as much as possible to help students and directors.

His professional affiliations include the Florida Bandmasters Association, the National Jazz Association, the Music Education National Conference, The Florida Music Educators Association, and the National Association of Jazz Educators. Mr. Hart is a Florida Bandmaster Board-approved MPA Adjudicator for Marching, Jazz, Concert Bands, and sight reading.

He is the recipient of the Delta Sigma Theta Man of the Year Award 2021, Ida S. Baker Distinguished Minority Educator Award 2019, South Lake Chamber of Commerce Teacher of The Year Award 2018, and East Ridge High School Teacher of The Year Award 2005, named one of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers” in 2002, The Carver Middle School Wall of Fame for outstanding Citizenship 2000 and many more.