Directors and Staff
Josh Maddux, Director of Bands
Josh Maddux is in his eleventh year of teaching, and sixth year at Olathe North High School. As Director of Bands, Mr. Maddux's teaching responsibilities include directing the Screamin' Eagle Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band, assisting with Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Basketball Pep Band, overseeing Percussion Ensemble, and teaching AP Music Theory. Mr. Maddux joined the Olathe North band staff in 2018 as the Assistant Director of Bands, and took over as Director of Bands in 2022. Additionally, Mr. Maddux has started numerous students in 5th grade band at Mahaffie, Northview, and Washington Elementary Schools. Prior to his appointment at Olathe North, Mr. Maddux served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Olathe Northwest High School from 2013-2018. Mr. Maddux's introduction to teaching high school has come full circle as he completed his student teaching at Olathe North High School in the spring of 2013 with Mr. Justin Love.
Raised in Overland Park, KS, Mr. Maddux is a graduate of Blue Valley North High School. After high school, he attended the University of Kansas, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in Music Education. While at KU, Mr. Maddux was highly immersed in the band department, studying conducting with Dr. Paul Popiel. He enjoyed his membership in the Marching Jayhawks, where he was a trumpet section leader in 2010, as well as Drum Major for the 2011 & 2012 marching seasons. Additionally, Mr. Maddux was recognized as the 2010 Outstanding Brass Performer and the 2012 Outstanding Band Member. His performing opportunities continued with membership in the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensembles, Volleyball Band, the Women’s Basketball Band in 2009, and the Men’s Basketball Band in 2010 & 2011 - with performances in Omaha, NE, St. Louis, MO, Tulsa, OK, San Antonio, TX, and New Orleans, LA for the 2012 NCAA Final Four and National Championship.
Mr. Maddux's professional affiliations include the Kansas Music Educators Association, and the Kansas Bandmasters Association.
Outside of teaching, Mr. Maddux spends as much time as possible with his wife, Allison (an elementary school teacher in the De Soto School District), children Calvin and Halle, dogs Josie and Maizie, as well as other family and friends. Mr. Maddux loves being outside - especially golfing and playing volleyball.
“Olathe North has been a great home for me. The Performing Arts Department, ON Faculty, Administration, community, and most importantly - the students - are what make Olathe North a truly special place. I look forward to continuing to grow as an educator and carrying on the long standing tradition of excellence and personal growth through music. Go Eagles!”
Stephen Meiller, Assistant Director of Bands
Stephen Meiller is in his tenth year of teaching and the current Assistant Band Director at Olathe North High School, where he directs the Symphonic Band, and assists with the Screamin' Eagle Marching Band, Concert Band, and Basketball Pep Band. Additionally, Mr. Meiller teaches 5th Grade Band at Mahaffie, Northview, and Washington Elementary Schools, and assists at Santa Fe Trail Middle School. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Kansas, and a Masters of Music Education in Conducting from the University of Oklahoma. He has studied French Horn with Paul Stevens, and Conducting with Paul Popiel and Shanti Simon. Before moving to Olathe, Mr. Meiller was the Director of Instrument Music at Norman High School in Norman, Oklahoma for four years, the Assistant Band Director at Norman High for one year, and the Assistant Band Director at Norman North High School for three years.
While at KU, Mr. Meiller performed with the nationally recognized KU Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Kauffman Center in Kansas City and the Lied Center of Kansas in Lawrence. He appears on the KU Wind Ensemble CDs, "Landscapes" and "In the Shadow of No Towers" featuring a world premiere by Arab-American composer, Mohammad Fairouz. Mr. Meiller also performed with the Marching Jayhawks and the KU Athletic Pep Bands at Jayhawk basketball, football, and volleyball games.
Mr. Meiller has taught privately in the Kansas City and Oklahoma City metro areas and is affiliated with Kansas and Oklahoma Music Educators Associations, National Association for Music Education, International Society for Music Education, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He lives in the Kansas City area with his wife Chelsea, baby girl Olivia, and doggo Gus.
Evan Thomas, Percussion Instructor
Mr. Thomas is in his second year as Director of Percussion at Olathe North. A graduate of Washburn University, Mr. Thomas holds a degree in History Education with minors in Music and Sociology, and 15 years of marching percussion experience including three years performing and two years on staff with the Washburn Marching Blues, two seasons with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (2007, 2008), and six seasons of performing with professional drumlines, including the Chiefs Rumble Drumline for five years, and the Sounders Soundwave Band for one year. Currently, Mr. Thomas is a corporate trainer, and previously spent five years in the Navy.
"I plan on having fun, and not only developing great percussionists, but confidence and leadership."
Molly Cummings, Brass/Visual Staff
Ms. Cummings graduated from Center Point-Urbana high school in Eastern Iowa but moved to Kansas for school. She obtained her Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Kansas in the spring of 2023. Ms. Cummings teaches 5th grade band at Mahaffie and Northview elementary schools, and assists with middle school band at Santa Fe Trail, Indian Trail, and Oregon Trail middle schools.
While at KU, Ms. Cummings was a member of the Symphonic Band, Marching band, Volleyball band, and Women's and Men's Basketball band along with the KU Opera department and Chamber choir. She studied tuba under Scott Watson and voice under Genaro Mendez. She was given the opportunity to perform throughout the U.S. and internationally in both tuba and voice.
Aaron Simon, Brass/Visual Staff
Aaron Simon joined the Olathe North High School Band staff in the summer of 2018. He graduated from Lawrence Free State High School in 2014. Mr. Simon attended the University of Kansas for two years. When attending the University of Kansas, he participated in the Marching Band both years. While in the Marching Band he played the mellophone. He participated in the Women’s Basketball Band for 2 seasons and traveled with them to Dallas and Oklahoma City for the Big 12 Tournament. After leaving KU he moved on to pursue a career in IT. He attended Centriq Training and graduated from there in April of 2017. He is currently working at a small IT company in Kansas City called Choice Solutions.
Mr. Simon has taught at several high schools. He was a Visual and Brass Technician at Shawnee Mission West for 6 years, Park Hill High School for 1 year, Shawnee Mission Northwest for 1 year, and Olathe West for 1 year. Mr. Simon has been around music his entire life. His father was a well known judge and clinician across the band world.
Mr. Simon participated in Drum and Bungle Corps from 2009-2016. He marched Colt Cadets from 2009-2012 and with the Colts from 2013-2016. He was the mellophone section leader in 2016. He was voted by his peers as one of the best all-around members and one of the most outstanding Brass members.
Mr. Simon enjoys spending time with his friends and family. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, playing video games, and taking a good road trip.
Kayla Sinclair, Eaglettes Dance Team Instructor
Kayla Sinclair joined the Olathe North High School Eaglettes Dance Team staff in the Summer of 2018. Coach Sinclair grew up in Olathe and began dancing at the age of three at The Studio School of Dance. She danced competitively for KC Dance Expressions was a member of the Olathe North Eaglettes from 2009-2012. After graduation, Coach Sinclair joined the Spirit Squad at William Jewell College before transferring to the University of Kansas and serving as a Rock Chalk Revue Director for two years. She has worked as a judge and choreographer for many teams in the area and currently teaches history at Olathe North High School.