When News 3 went to interview the March Golden Apple winner, the Stuarts Draft Jazz Band was playing "Broadway" and "Thriller."

The March trophy goes to "Just Jazz" member, James Taylor. He has been teaching for 36 years and is currently the band teacher at Stuarts Draft High School. He also is the director of the marching band.

He is very popular with his students.

Sophomore Kaitlin McKibbin states, "Mr.Taylor has that personality that when you meet him, you're going to laugh and have a good time, but you're going to learn at the same time."

She says jazz band is one of her favorite classes.

Eric Good, another a sophomore student at Stuarts Draft, says Mr. Taylor brings a lot of energy to the class.

Meanwhile senior student Rachel Hershey says, "I really like him, I've really enjoyed having him as a teacher."

Stuarts Draft senior Pete Echols comments, "He's pretty laid back. He's a really good guy."

Taylor feels the same way about his students. He has a real passion for music and shares his favorite part of his job with us.

He says, "What I love about my job is the success I see my students have while they're in the class and when I meet them in the community."

He makes jokes, too. Most of his students say they laugh a lot in class because Taylor is always making jokes. However, not all of the students can always understand his humor. Still, he strikes back with a hand gesture signifying that his jokes go "over their heads."