Jon Cotton is in his 18th year of teaching in the Georgia public schools. He is currently the band director at Oconee County Middle School in Watkinsville, GA, and is Assistant Director of the OCHS Warrior Marching Band. Previously, he served as Director of Bands at Jefferson Middle School in Jefferson, GA. Mr. Cotton earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Georgia, the Master of Education in Music Education degree from Auburn University, and the Specialist in Education degree from UGA.

Mr. Cotton has been a volunteer with the Georgia Music Educators Association for many years. Previous statewide service includes: GMEA Vice-President for Performance Evaluations, statewide middle school All-State Band coordinator, and GMEA All-State Band Committee Chair. He has also served District 13 as LGPE Organizer and Secretary/Treasurer, and has served District 14 as Band Chair, Solo & Ensemble Organizer, and is a current LGPE Organizer. He frequently serves as an adjudicator for both Large Group Performance Evaluation and Solo & Ensemble Performance Evaluation in numerous districts throughout Georgia, and regularly serves as a conductor for honor bands throughout the state. Professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He is a recipient of the National Band Association's Citation of Excellence.