Patrick Sullivan, Director of Bands
Patrick Sullivan has been the Director of Bands at Rock Bridge since 2018. Previously, he served as the Assistant Director at Rock Bridge High School from 2013-2018. Originally from St. Charles, Missouri, Mr. Sullivan was a graduate assistant for the Kansas State University Bands from 2011-2013 while receiving a Master of Music degree with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting. While at Kansas State, Mr. Sullivan assisted with all aspects of the band department. He was fortunate to be given opportunities to rehearse and conduct the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Concert Band, University Band, Brass Ensemble, Cat Band, and the 375 member Marching Band.
A former Columbia Public Schools teacher, Mr. Sullivan proudly served as band director at Oakland Jr. High School in Columbia, Missouri from 2007-2011. Mr. Sullivan also assisted with the band programs at Lange Middle School and Gentry Middle School as well as maintained a private trombone and euphonium studio. A 2006 Graduate of the University of Missouri, Mr. Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music Education, where he was a section leader and drum major of ‘Marching Mizzou.’
As a Trombonist, Mr. Sullivan has performed with the University of Missouri Wind Ensemble, the University of Missouri Jazz Ensemble, The Missouri Symphony, The Columbia Community Band, the Kansas State University Wind Ensemble, Kansas State University Brass Ensemble, the Kansas State University Concert Jazz Ensemble, the top jazz combo from Kansas State—Swing Machine, and the Manhattan Municipal Band. He has had the opportunity to perform under the baton of Karel Husa and Col. John Bourgeois; and has performed with Terrell Stafford and Benny Golson.
During the summers of 2004 and 2005, Mr. Sullivan marched lead euphonium with the drum and bugle corps, Phantom Regiment. Mr. Sullivan is an active arranger for concert bands, pep bands and marching bands. He has been fortunate to be a Clinician, Judge and Presenter in Missouri and Kansas. If he is away from school, you can find Mr. Sullivan spending time with his wife Holly, his son Vincent, and their 3 dogs and one cat.
Cooper Smith, Associate Director of Bands
Cooper Smith has been the Associate Director of Bands at Rock Bridge since 2023. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Cooper Smith received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the UMKC Conservatory. While at UMKC, Cooper completed his secondary student teaching at Blue Springs South High School in 2023. While at this placement, he was a woodwind technician for the Jaguar Pride Marching Band in 2022. He also served as a part-time Assistant Band Director at Liberty North High School during the 2021-2022 school year.
As a saxophonist, Cooper played in the UMKC Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and was a proud member of the UMKC Saxophone Studio. In 2022, he co-founded and served as the Assistant Director of the Northland Symphony Orchestra Saxophone Ensemble, the first ever high school saxophone ensemble in the Kansas City area. He has also been a saxophonist in the Cameron Municipal Band in Cameron, MO since 2016.
Passionate about education, Cooper served as the 2022-2023 President of Missouri’s NAfME-C Chapter. He taught a small private saxophone studio of high school students who were Missouri All-State Band members. Besides music, Cooper is passionate about storm chasing and railroad photography.