Perry Ditch retired from White Oak High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina in 2019, where he led the program since 1993. A graduate of East Carolina University (1986) with a Master’s earned in 2000, he was also a National Board Certified Teacher. Under his leadership, the White Oak band program grew from 68 to 185 members and consistently achieved superior ratings. Mr. Ditch was recognized for his innovative use of technology in rehearsal, his clinic work throughout North Carolina and Virginia, and his dedication to music education initiatives like the Cheery Education Centre Music Project in Nairobi, Kenya. He is past President of the Eastern District Bandmasters Association and served as Secretary for the North Carolina Bandmasters Association. He currently works for Fuller's Music in New Bern, NC.