Cameron Baker -- Director of Bands

​Mr. Baker is honored to serve as Director of Bands since the Fall of 2006. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree, in Music Education from East Carolina University, and received his Master of Music degree, in Music Education as a Suma Cum Laude graduate, from Old Dominion University.  
Mr. Baker actively performs within his community as a member of the Virginia Wind Symphony, a winner of the Sousa Foundation’s Sudler Silver Scroll Award and two-time Mid-West International Band Clinic performer. 

​Mr. Baker has been a performer and educator in Drum Corps International and Drum Corps Associates, where he has been honored to perform with and instruct World-Class Ensembles, from Florida to the Carolinas, and New Jersey. In addition, he remains active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the country.  
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Mr. Baker is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, the Virginia Music Educators Association, the National Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, a National Music Honor Society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.

Mr. Baker's Philosophy of Music Education

"Music’s powerful influence can bring out the absolute best in students and the greater community! Music evokes the human spirit, raises self-awareness, fosters self-discipline, encourages teamwork, excites creativity, and demands the highest levels of excellence from each individual. As an educator, a musician, and a life-long learner, I strive to always make music a positive experience for all students! In addition to teaching students the technical pedagogy of music, I continue to learn and implement a wide range of lessons and activities, which include differentiating instruction, cooperative and collaborative learning projects, and multicultural lessons; all with the use of integrating available technology for our 21st century learners.
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A musician’s life is not comprised of concerts and performances alone.  These milestones, while wonderful, are merely that.  The true growth of a musician comes from the time in between the performances.  It is this journey that we remember, and therefore, it is the journey that truly matters.  It is here where we can observe our greatest growth, and recall our fondest memories.  It is my hope that my students will pursue their personal best musical and academic growth with the utmost passion and diligence.   We can only strive to better ourselves on a daily basis.  

I remain fully committed to meeting the educational needs of students and am passionate about teaching and learning. As a music educator, I model a variety of teaching styles and methods while using clear and effective communication strategies at all times, all while actively seeking new ways to engage and assist students to reach their highest potential."  ​

Jessica Baker -- Program Consultant

​Jessica Baker has served with the Marching Knights since 2006, as Program Consultant!  Ms. Baker is currently serving as the Orchestra Director at Great Neck Middle School.  In addition to her responsibilities as Visual Coordinator, Ms. Baker has been a lead member of the design team for the Marching Knights, and a guest musician and ensemble clinician throughout Coastal Virginia. 

Ms. Baker earned her Bachelor of Music degree from East Carolina University, and received her Master of Music degree, in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. 

Ms. Baker actively performs within her community as a member of Virginia Beach's Symphony Orchestra, Symphonicity.  Ms. Baker has been a performer with Drum Corps Associates corps, Carolina Gold, and remains active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the region. 

​Ms. Baker is a member of the National Association for Music Educators, the Virginia Music Educators Association, the National Education Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota, a national women's music sorority. 

Ernest Stokes IV -- Percussion Coordinator

Ernest Stokes currently serves as the General Music Teacher at Butts Road Intermediate in Chesapeake, Virginia and has held this position since the 2010-2011 school year. Before teaching in Chesapeake, Ernest taught for several years as the elementary music teacher for Sussex County Public Schools. Mr. Stokes teaches all general music classes at Butts Road Intermediate, as well as beginning strings at Camelot Elementary School. At Butts Road Intermediate, he directs three before-school Orff Ensembles and two after-school choirs. Ernest serves as the chair for the SCA and as a testing coordinator for the school. In the fall, Ernest can be found on the marching field as the Kellam Marching Knights percussion coordinator and the Deep Creek Marching Hornets instructional assistant.

Mr. Stokes holds a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in Music Education, degree from James Madison University, a Master of Music (M.M.) in Music Education degree from Boston University, and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in K-12 Administration from Regent University.

While teaching in Sussex County, Ernest was recognized as the 2010 Technology Teacher of the Year for Jefferson Elementary School and was subsequently chosen as the Technology Teacher of the Year for the entire county. During his tenure at Butts Road Intermediate, he was selected as the 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year and became a finalist for city-wide Teacher of the Year.

​Ernest is a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, national men's music fraternity, a member of NAfME, VMEA, VEMEA, and the National Education Association. Mr. Stokes is a constant advocate for music in schools and truly loves teaching. He holds all of his students to the very highest of standards and insists that his students only give him their best.