About Dr. Cole Hairston

Dr. Cole Hairston is the Director of Bands at Brevard College in North Carolina. He conducts the Wind Ensemble while also teaching conducting and music theory courses. Dr. Hairston completed his graduate studies in conducting at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and studied with Kevin Geraldi, Scott Teeple, Jonathan Caldwell, Alejandro Rutty, and Mark Engebretson.

In addition to conducting, Dr. Hairston studied clarinet with Alicia Lee and Anthony Taylor, performing in various ensembles. He was accepted to play clarinet with the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Austria during the summer of 2018.

At home Dr. Hairston loves to spend time with his wife, two dogs, and cat. They love to explore and try new food while moving around the country.

Education

BM, Music Education, University of North Carolina-Greensboro

MM, Instrumental Conducting, University of Wisconsin, Madison

DMA, Instrumental Conducting (Cognate: Composition), UNC-Greensboro

HS Band and Chorus, Highland School of Technology, 2012-2017

Awards

Dr. Hairston taught band, chorus, music specialization, and math in North Carolina public schools for six years. During this time he was awarded Band Director of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and was a top 5 finalist for Teacher of the Year in the county.

Assistant Conductor

About William Bryant

William Bryant holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education from Western Carolina University and the Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Illinois. A tuba player, Bryant studied formally with Rex Conner and Dan Perantoni. He has taught at every level of the educational spectrum from elementary school through college graduate courses. He was director of Bands and Chair of the Fine Arts Department at A. C. Reynolds High School for 23 years before retiring in 2012. He remains active as a performer, conductor and teacher, playing with the Appalachian Brass Quintet and the Blue Ridge Symphonic Brass.