Youth Performing Arts School Jazz Ensemble

Performer Details

Performer Bio Synopsis

The YPAS Jazz Ensemble is the Youth Performing Arts School's premier jazz ensemble. The band performs regularly both regionally and nationally. The Jazz Ensemble was given a special invitation to perform at the 2026 Jazz Education Network Conference and the 2025 Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference. The ensemble has participated in numerous competitions, festivals, and events throughout the years. Many individual students in the ensemble have received numerous soloist awards and scholarships as a result of their performance. The Jazz Ensemble is known for its performance of new arrangements, progressive repertoire, virtuosic solos, and challenging ensemble material. The band has invigorated interest in jazz music and enabled many performance opportunities and collaborations for young jazz musicians and enthusiasts in the Louisville metro area. In addition, the group regularly partners with local jazz artists and educators.

Youth Performing Arts School Jazz Ensemble

Conductor's Bio

Dr. Kevin Callihan is currently the Director of Bands at the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, KY and an Associate Conductor of the Louisville Youth Wind Symphony. He has previously held Director of Bands positions at Longwood University (VA), Kentucky Wesleyan College, and Apollo High School (KY). Callihan holds degrees from Morehead State University, Northwestern University, and the University of Kentucky. In addition, Dr. Callihan was named the KMEA High School Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year. In 2026, Dr. Callihan was the youngest director to be awarded the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Band Master award. Ensembles under Dr. Callihan's direction have performed at the Midwest Clinic, the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, the Jazz Education Network Conference, the College Band Directors National Association/National Band Association Southern Division Conference, the Phi Beta Mu Concert Festival, and the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference. The YPAS Wind Ensemble was selected as a 2023, 2024, and 2025 National Winner in The Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence/National Wind Band Honors Project in two divisions (AAAAA & New Music). In addition, Dr. Callihan has presented and/or performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association Clinic, the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference, the International Tuba & Euphonium Conference, the International Trombone Festival, the College Band Directors National Association Conference, and the International Society for Research and Promotion of Wind Music International Conference. Dr. Callihan is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the Kentucky Music Educators Association, the American School Band Directors Association, the National Band Association, Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia National Honorary Music Fraternity, and Who's Who in America. He is an active performer, clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator both regionally and nationally. Callihan has served as the KMEA State Jazz Chair and currently serves as the KMEA District 12 president. He resides in Louisville, Kentucky with his wife Kaitlin and their daughter Katherine.

Additional Directors

Conner Kinmon