Last month, Cooper became the director of Marching Mizzou, the first woman in the history of MU to lead the marching band. She is the 16th director in the band's 131-year history and currently, one of two female directors in the SEC. Elva Kaye Lance is director of bands at Mississippi State University.
Cooper also becomes the director of Mini Mizzou, a pep band created in 1973 to include select members of Marching Mizzou. Mini Mizzou performs at basketball games and other requested events on campus.
Before moving to Columbia, Cooper was the director of bands at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Oklahoma, where she taught music and led the marching band, the wind ensemble and the pep band.