Mr. Jon Eckman - Directors of Bands
Jon Eckman is currently the director of instrumental music at Bartow Senior High/IB/Summerlin Academy and the conductor of the Bartow Adult Concert Band. He is originally from Port Charlotte, Florida. Mr. Eckman is a charter member of the Magic Drum and Bugle Corps and graduated from Florida Southern College. Mr. Eckman began his teaching career at Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School and after 6 years of teaching succeeded Jan Coolman at Bartow High School. Under his direction, the bands at Bartow Senior have consistently earned superior ratings at Concert, Marching, and State MPA’s. The Bartow High School Band has performed in Nashville, Washington DC, New Orleans, New Your City, Atlanta, and at the Chicago International Music Festival. Mr. Eckman is a graduate of the Florida Schools Music Association Summer Institute and is certified in International Baccalaureate Instruction for World Music. He adjudicates throughout the state of Florida for Solo and Ensemble, Concert Bands, Marching Bands and is a guest conductor/clinician. He is a member of the American School Band Directors Association, a member of the Association of Concert Bands, served as an FBA District Chairman for three terms, and is serving on the FBA Legacy Committee. He was named Bartow High School Teacher of the Year in 2011. He received the Medal of Merit from the city of Bartow in 2018 for community service within his profession. He is a graduate of the City of Bartow Leadership program. Preserving the history of band in the community of Bartow has been a constant goal. Mr. Eckman is a recipient of the Oliver Hobbs Award and most recently received John Phillip Sousa Foundations Laurate award for 2023-24. He designed a state-of-the-art music facility that transforms the entire facility into a recording studio. The facility has been named BHS-Studio-B Fine Arts Academy. Mr. Eckman is married to his lovely wife Rebekah Eckman and has two beautiful and talented daughters Grace and Emileigh Eckman.
Mr. Caleb Mendoza - Assistant Marching Band Director
Born and raised in Polk County, Caleb is an alumnus of the Yellow Jacket Marching Band and has a passion for teaching music and creating better human beings through the marching activity. A Carol Ann Golden Scholarship winner, Caleb is currently a student at Polk State College and is looking to seek a Music Education degree at the University of South Florida. During his time as a Yellow Jacket, Caleb had taken advantage of many musical opportunities such as: taking part in All County for all 4 years, achieving superior ratings in both the county level and state level for his exemplary performances, and well as a proud recipient of the John Philip Sousa award. During and after his time with the Yellow Jacket Marching Band, Caleb has marched in a wide variety of ensemble groups including the Heat Wave Drum and Bugle Corps, Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps, and Horizon Winds. During his time with these ensembles, he has learned valuable life lessons and the importance of working hard, and hopes to transfer his knowledge to the students.
Ms. Paige Lillie - Intern Director
Paige Lillie is an aspiring high school band director from Lakeland, Florida. She attends Florida Southern College and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education in December 2025. On campus, Ms. Lillie was involved with FSC's Collegiate chapter of NAfME and served as the historian for two years. As part of the FSC NAfME executive board, she worked closely with Polk County Public Schools to host the All County events on the Florida Southern campus. She has also served as a Florida Southern Band Camp Counselor for three years where she worked directly with middle and high school band students. Ms. Lillie is active as a volunteer with band programs throughout Polk County including Kathleen High School, George Jenkins High School, and now Bartow High School. She is currently working with Bartow High School's Yellow Jacket Marching Band as the Intern Director. Through working with these programs, she focuses on teaching brass fundamentals, enforcing proper techniques, and expanding her knowledge of the music classroom. Upon graduation, Ms. Lillie will be looking for a secondary band position within Polk County.
Mr. Deonte Wilson - Percussion Instructor
Ms. Joclyn Navas - Colorguard Instructor
Hi! I'm Coach Navas, the head coach of Blue Fusion Dance Team. This is my third year coaching this team. I was a member of this team myself when I attended Bartow High School and I have been dancing since I was 4. I'm looking forward to an amazing year with everyone!
Ms. Emileigh Eckman - Colorguard Instructor
Ms. Lizzy Tamez - Colorguard Instructor
Lizzy Tamez graduated from Bartow HS May of 2025. She was apart of the Bartow HS Blue Fusion Dance Team from 2022-2025. Lizzy was an equipment manager for the 2022-2024 season, and then a captain during the 2024-2025 season. She was apart of the 2024 FFCC Silver Medalist show “Morning Bird”. Her goals are to continue spinning independently during the indoor season. Another goal is to have each dancer grow not only as a performer, but as people to be a confident and resilient performer. During her time in high school she was the 2025 class president, vice president for the Criminal Justice Academy Florida Public Service Association and a part of National Honor Society. Lizzy currently attends Polk State College working towards an associate in arts degree with a focus on criminal justice. She hopes to because a future 911 dispatcher. She currently state certified, but wants to continue her education.
Mrs. Symone Wilson - Marching Instructor
Symone Wilson is a proud 4-year alumna of the Yellow Jacket Marching Band. She began her journey during Mr. Eckman’s first year at Bartow High School, completing a full four-year commitment with the program. Symone is passionate about volunteering with the band because she understands the value of strong chaperone support. She believes that not only the students, but also the band moms and chaperones, play a vital role in shaping each child’s band experience. Her goal is to bring a positive influence to every student in the program and help carry forward the tradition of excellence in the Yellow Jacket Band.