Since 2019, Jed has been the Director of the Community Music School and Director of Music Education for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. A performing bassist, Jed plays with the orchestra in addition to free-lancing throughout the area. He was a public school orchestra teacher for 34 years finishing his career for the Chelsea School District, Chelsea, Mi. Jed was Teacher of the Year for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association and the Michigan American String Teachers Association in 2008. In addition to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, his performance credits include the Michigan Opera Theater, Toledo Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Racine Symphony, Racine, Wisconsin, South Dakota Symphony, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and various festival orchestras, jazz ensembles, rock bands, polka bands since he was 15 years old.

Mr. McKaney has held principal violist positions and has been solo violist with many symphony orchestras in and around the mid-Michigan area including Battle Creek, Hillsdale, Lansing, Jackson, University of Michigan, Michigan State, and Interlochen Arts Academy. Among his frequent solo performances with the Jackson Symphony, including the complete “Der Schwanendreher” by Paul Hindemith, Telemann, Stamitz, Bach and Mozart concertos, was the world premiere performance of “Quixote!” written by Dr. Bruce Brown of Spring Arbor University specifically for Mr. McKaney to perform with the orchestra. Now residing in Jackson, Clyde enjoys teaching the violin and viola, performing with the Symphony, directing and performing with the Symphony’s “Community String Ensemble,” cooking… and training his horses!!