Jessee Reon is originally from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.  She began playing saxophone in 2006 and was an active member of her high school band and surrounding district. After graduating from Smithfield High School, she attended Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia.

 

Jessee graduated from CNU in 2017 with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education and a minor in Leadership Studies. During her undergraduate degree she was a member of the Honors Program and the President’s Leadership Program. Her studies took her abroad to Oxford University in England, and she also traveled to both Ireland and Germany during her undergraduate career as a member of the Marching Captains and the CNU Wind Ensemble. Jessee holds memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi – National Honorary Band Service Fraternity, the National Association for Music Education, and Alpha Chi and Pi Kappa Lambda honors’ societies. 

 

In 2018 Jessee graduated from Christopher Newport University again with a Master of Arts in Teaching. During her graduate degree she served as a graduate teaching assistant for the Marching Captains where she assisted with the musical, marching, and logistical demands of the 220 member ensemble. She also served as a graduate conducting associate where she conducted the CNU Wind Ensemble and a university chamber ensemble while studying privately with Dr. John Lopez and Dr. Mark Reimer.

 

As a performer Jessee primarily plays saxophone, but also has experience doubling on clarinet. During her undergraduate career she was an active member of the Marching Captains, Wind Ensemble, University Band, Jazz Ensemble, Saxophone Quartet/Quintet, and Pep Band at CNU. Jessee also performed professionally at Busch Gardens Williamsburg from 2016-2018 as a saxophonist and clarinetist in their Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town shows. Although she is well versed in playing all of the different types of saxophones, the baritone saxophone is her favorite.

 

The 2018-19 school year will be Jessee’s first year in the Roanoke City Public Schools system where she will be the Band Director at James Breckinridge Middle School, and will serve on staff with the William Fleming High School band program.