Robert Barfield has been teaching in the state of Florida public school system since 1992 and at Tarpon Springs High School since 1999. He is the Associate Director of Bands for the Tarpon Springs High School Leadership Conservatory for the Arts. Mr. Barfield was the guest conductor of the Maine All-State Jazz Band in January of 2010. His responsibilities at Tarpon Springs High School include Marching Band, Director of the Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Combos, co- conductor of Wind Ensembles, instructor in Brass Pedagogy, Music Theory and Technology, and overseeing the Solo and Ensemble process. In addition, Mr. Barfield teaches the Leadership Skills Development course, which is required of all freshman enrolled in the Leadership Conservatory for the Arts at Tarpon Springs High School.

Mr. Barfield is also a director of the community youth Jazz Ensemble at the Ruth Eckerd Hall Performing Arts Center in Clearwater, Florida. He is a teacher in their jazz preparatory course, which meets weekly and includes students from all over the Tampa Bay area and annually performs at the Clearwater Jazz Holiday.

Mr. Barfield graduated Summa cum Laude form the University of North Florida with a Bachelors of Arts in Music Education. While there he was a member of the prestigious Jazz Ensemble I. During his time there, he performed with such jazz greats as Louie Bellson, Pat Metheny, James Moody, Randy Brecker, Eddie Daniels, Marcus Roberts, Elaine Elias, Rich Matteson, Bunky Green, Bill Prince, the Airmen of Note, and the Count Basie Orchestra just to name a few. He is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the International Association of Jazz Educators, the Florida Music Educators Association, the Florida Bandmasters Association, and the Pinellas County Music Educators Association. Mr. Barfield is also has a TI:ME level 2 certification in music technology. In addition to his duties at Tarpon Springs High School, Mr. Barfield enjoys an active schedule as an adjudicator, drill designer and guest clinician throughout the country. Mr. Barfield has been recognized several times in the "Who's Who Among America's High School Teachers".