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A Tradition of Excellence in the Litchfield Public School District

Bailey Acuña

High School Director of Bands

Dr. Kelly Taylor

Middle School Director of Bands

A Tradition of Excellence in the Litchfield Public School District

Bailey Acuña

High School Director of Bands

Dr. Kelly Taylor

Middle School Director of Bands

Meet the Directors

Bailey Acuña

Dr. Kelly R. Taylor

Mrs. Acuña (Benoit) has served as the Director of Bands at Litchfield High School since the summer of 2022. In this role, she conducts the Wind Ensemble and Varsity Band, and oversees the Pep Band and the Litchfield Marching Dragons.

Mrs. Acuña earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead in May 2019. Following graduation, she taught for one year at Liberty Middle School before continuing her graduate studies. In the fall of 2020, she was awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at Oklahoma State University, where she worked closely with ensembles in the Greenwood School of Music and performed with the Cowboy Marching Band.

While at Oklahoma State, she was an active member of the trumpet studio and was honored as the Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year in 2022. She completed her Master’s Degree in Wind Band Conducting, further developing her passion for teaching and ensemble leadership.

Mrs. Acuña is a member of several professional organizations, including the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, and the Minnesota Music Educators Association. She also serves the state as the 9–10 State Honor Band Coordinator for the Minnesota Band Directors Association.

Dr. Kelly R. Taylor

Dr. Taylor has been with the Litchfield school district in various roles, such as director of middle school bands, middle school marching band, high school and middle School jazz band instructor, percussion instructor, The Marching Dragons as drill designer, assistant, and co-director since 2018.

Dr. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Augsburg College, a master’s degree in education from Concordia University, and a Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia. His doctoral thesis focused on Rural Music Education, a topic he has become passionate about. Additionally, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Mortuary Science from the University of Minnesota and is a licensed mortician in Minnesota.

Dr. Taylor is an experienced educator who has taught in multiple school districts and school settings in Minnesota. He has instructed marching band programs and winter drumlines across the state throughout his career, in various positions ranging from consultant to program director. He has published Journal articles and presented at conferences in Minnesota, Indiana and Connecticut. He is a member of NfAME, Minnesota Music Educator Association (MMEA), Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA), National Rural Educators Association (NREA) and Percussive Arts Society (PAS),. Currently, Kelly serves on the Board of Directors for MMEA and has served as the 2nd Vice President and President of the Minnesota Percussion Association Board of Directors.

A Tradition of Excellence in the Litchfield Public School District

A Tradition of Excellence in the Litchfield Public School District

Meet the Directors

Bailey Acuña

Dr. Kelly R. Taylor

Dr. Kelly R. Taylor

Dr. Kelly R. Taylor

Dr. Kelly R. Taylor

Dr. Kelly R. Taylor

Events

03/08/2026

Spring Marching Band Meeting

4pm

03/08/2026

Spring Marching Band Meeting

4pm

3/17/2026

Litchfield Bands District Concert

6pm

3/17/2026

Litchfield Bands District Concert

6pm

4/13/2026

High School Large Group Contest

8Am-4pm

4/13/2026

High School Large Group Contest

8Am-4pm

5/15/2026

Litchfield High School Spring Concert

7pm

5/15/2026

Litchfield High School Spring Concert

7pm

5/25/2026

Memorial Day Parade/Celebration

9AM

5/25/2026

Memorial Day Parade/Celebration

9AM

Highlights of the year

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