Mr. Nick Little is in his 18th year of teaching at Campbell County High School and his twentieth year overall. Mr. Little received his Bachelors in Music Education from Northern Kentucky University in 2004, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Little has also completed a Master’s in Education from NKU and a Specialist Degree in School Administration from Morehead State University. At CCHS, Mr. Little teaches AP Music Theory, directs the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and the Marching Band of Pride. In addition, Mr. Little also oversees the Jazz Ensemble, Junior Varsity Winter Guard, Varsity Winter Guard, and Pep Band.
Under his direction, the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble have consistently received Distinguished ratings at KMEA Concert Assessment. Additionally, the CCHS Wind Ensemble has performed at the University of Kentucky WindFest and has been selected to perform at the 2016 Kentucky Music Educators Association state conference.
The CCHS Marching Band of Pride has grown immensely during his tenure. The 180 member CCBOP is a consistent Bands of America Regional Finalist and has been named a Class AA Regional Champion in 2022 and 2023.
During his 20 year teaching career, Mr. Little has been selected as a “Teacher Who Made A Difference” by the University of Kentucky in 2006, KMEA District 6 Middle School Teacher of the Year for the 2005-2006 school year, and was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Gov. Ernie Fletcher for contributions to the educational community. In 2013, Mr. little was also selected as the KMEA District 6 High School Teacher of the Year. Mr. Little has been published in “The Bluegrass Music News” and nationally in “The Instrumentalist” for his work founding music theory programs and integrating music theory pedagogy into full ensemble rehearsals.
Mr. Little is also a proud alumnus of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. Professionally, Mr. Little is a member of the Kentucky Music Educator’s Association, National Association for Music Education, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Most importantly, he is a proud husband of 18 years to his wife, Melissa, and father to their beautiful daughters, Zoey and Adelynn.
Mr. Dean Marotta is the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Percussion for Campbell County High School. Mr. Marotta is a native of Milford, Ohio and holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Morehead State University, in Morehead KY. At CCHS, Mr. Marotta directs the Percussion Ensemble, Advanced Percussion Ensemble, Winter Percussion Ensemble, and assists with the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Marching Band.
Under his direction, the Campbell County Percussion Ensembles have garnered many awards and accolades. Most notably, three finals appearances at WGI World Championships (4th Place in 2017, 1st Place in 2019, and 3rd Place in 2022), a 4th place finish at the 2018 PASIC Chamber Percussion Ensemble Competition, and featured performances at the 2018 and 2024 KMEA Conferences, in Louisville, KY.
Professional affiliations include KMEA, NAfME, and the Percussive Arts Society. He has served on the KMEA State Board of Directors, on the WGI Percussion Advisory Board, and he is an active educational endorser of Vic Firth sticks and mallets. Mr. Marotta resides in Alexandria, KY with his wife Melissa, also a music teacher, and daughters Kinley and Elyse.
Mr. Nick Barron is currently a teacher at Campbell County Middle School where he serves as the Assistant Director of Bands and Visual and Performing Arts teacher. At the middle school, Mr. Barron teaches a variety of classes such as History of American Music and Guitar, as well as the 6th and 7th grade bands with Mr. Stephen Dietsch. Mr. Barron is a native of Northern Kentucky and has been affiliated with the Band of Pride since Student Teaching in the fall of 2017.
Mr. Barron attended Morehead State University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in music education. While at Morehead, Mr. Barron privately studied Tuba and Voice and performed in a wide variety of ensembles such as the Concert Band, Marching Band, Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Chamber Singers. While singing tenor in the choirs, Mr. Barron was fortunate enough to participate in international singing competitions in both Ireland and Italy, Some of the performance venues included Kylemore Abbey, Christ Church Cathedral, the ruins of Pompeii, the Pantheon, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
During the last year of his undergraduate studies, Mr. Barron served not only as Chapter President for Phi Mu Alpha, a nationwide music fraternity, but also as the Contemporary Music Festival Coordinator. During the 2017 Contemporary Music Festival, the university hosted composer John Mackey and nine pieces of his music were performed by different chamber groups, music professors, and the Concert and Symphony Bands. For this event, Mr. Barron planned out all of the logistics including scheduling rehearsals and masterclasses, funding, and communication with the composer in residence and school faculty.
While at Campbell County Middle School, Mr. Barron has been able to create curriculum for new classes but more importantly has helped students develop a deeper appreciation for music. His professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the American Choral Directors Association, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association. Mr. Barron holds a Master’s degree in Music Technology and currently lives in Covington with his wife Jessica (who he is also fortunate enough to work with at CCMS), their two cats (Carole and Custard), and their dog (Honey).