Courtney Ridge is a second-year graduate teaching assistant at the University of Iowa, pursuing a DMA in wind conducting. Before arriving in Iowa City, Courtney served 12 years as the Director of Bands at Clarinda High School, where she oversaw all facets of the high school band program and co-taught the 6th grade beginning band program. Under her direction, the Clarinda Concert Band was selected as the 2A performance band for the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference in 2017 and 2022. The concert and marching bands received Division I Superior ratings at their respective IHSMA State Festivals every year of Courtney’s tenure. She previously taught 5-12 band in the Lenox Community School District. 

Courtney holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Drake University (2008) and a Master of Science in Education: K-12 Educational Leadership Degree from Northwest Missouri State University (2015). Courtney received the 2024 Charles E. Lakin Outstanding Teacher Award and the 2015 Southwest Iowa Bandmasters Association Young Band Director Award.