Cari Burgess
Mrs. Cari Burgess is from Algonquin, IL and graduated from Harry D. Jacobs High School in 2006. She received her Bachelors Degree in Instrumental Music Education with an influence in Clarinet Performance from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater in 2011. While in attendance Cari was the Warhawk Marching Band Drum Major for two years. Mrs. Burgess taught with the Shadow Armada Marching Band (currently the Shadow Drum and Bugle Corps) based out of Oregon, WI from 2010-2013 where they earned the title of MACBDA Champion each year. She was the Director of Bands at Stoughton High School in Stoughton, WI from 2011-2012. Here she directed two concert bands, the marching band, musical theatre pit orchestra, and jazz ensemble. All ensembles received superior ratings in state and local festivals. Mrs. Burgess served as the Director of Bands for Lake Cormorant Middle School and the Assistant Band Director at Lake Cormorant High School from 2013 - 2019. She directed two middle school bands, the front ensemble, and assisted with the high school band. During her tenure, the LCMS Advanced Band received consecutive superior ratings in concert and sight reading in the North Mississippi Young Band Festival and the MHSAA State Concert Evaluations. The Lake Cormorant High School bands received superior ratings in concert, sight reading, marching band, and drum major; resulting in the Mississippi Sweepstakes Award yearly. Mrs. Burgess was a member of the Hernando Desoto Band Directors Association from 2013-2019, serving on the executive board as secretary and concluding as the president. Mrs. Burgess continues to perform and teach private lessons in north Mississippi.
