Mr. Thrasher began teaching at Milam Elementary in 2019 before moving to Tupelo Middle School in 2020. In 2024, Mr. Thrasher became the Director of Bands for Tupelo Public School District. Mr. Thrasher directs the Tupelo High School Marching Band and Tupelo High School Wind Ensemble. Mr. Thrasher also assists with instruction at both Milam Elementary and Tupelo Middle School. Mr. Thrasher is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in music education. Mr. Thrasher also has a master’s degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University. 

Mr. Thrasher resides in Tupelo with his wife, Kayla, an elementary school teacher in the Tupelo Public School District, and their daughter, Everly.

Mr. Knox has been with the Tupelo Band program since 2014. He serves as one of the Tupelo Middle School band directors as well as the percussion coordinator for the Tupelo Public School District. Mr. Knox teaches percussion at TMS, fronts the TMS Blue Band, assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, oversees all percussion activities at TPSD, and is the director of Tupelo High School’s winter drumline, Riptide. He is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor’s degree in music education. 

Mr. Knox resides in Oxford, MS with his wife, Jill, who also works in education for the Oxford School District.

Mr. Fortenberry, an alumnus of Tupelo High School, joined the Tupelo Band Staff in 2025. He received his Bachelor's of Music Education from Blue Mountain Christian University and graduated from Northeast Mississippi Community College, where he participated in Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band. Mr. Fortenberry works primarily with our low brass students at Milam, TMS, and THS. Mr. Fortenberry resides in Ripley, MS, with his wife, Kristen, an Algebra I teacher at Ripley High School.

Mrs. Wallace first joined the Tupelo Band Staff from 1999-2004 but returned in 2021. She assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, co-conducts the Tupelo High School Symphonic Band, assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, instructs music sectionals at Tupelo High School, and is one of the founding co-directors of Typhoon, Tupelo’s Indoor Winds ensemble. Mrs. Wallace also instructs the Tupelo High School guitar class. Mrs. Wallace has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Delta State University and a master’s degree from the Mississippi University for Women in educational leadership. 

Mrs. Wallace resides in Tupelo with her daughter, Bella, a 2024 Tupelo High School Band alum.

Joining the Tupelo Band Staff in 2025, Mr. Onsby is a native of Pontotoc, MS, where he graduated from South Pontotoc High School. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Mississippi, where he participated in the Pride of the South Marching Band, the University of Mississippi Wind Ensemble, and the Mississippians, Ole Miss's premier Jazz Band. Mr. Onsby works with the students of Milam, TMS, and THS, primarily in the woodwind area. He leads the first ever Jazz band at THS. Mr. Onsby is newly married to his wife, Caroline.

Mrs. Hercules joined the Tupelo Band Staff in 2024 as one of the band directors at Tupelo Middle School.  Mrs. Hercules conducts the Tupelo Middle School Gold Band, instructs music sectionals at Tupelo High School, assists with the Tupelo High School Marching Band, coordinates all color guard activities for Tupelo Public School District, and co-directs the Tupelo High School Concert Band. Mrs. Hercules graduated with her bachelor’s degree in music education from Delta State University.

Mrs. Hercules resides in Tupelo with her husband, Taylor, who is the percussion director and assistant band director at Itawamba Community College.