Episode 5: Young Band Directors Panel with Chris Ballentine Matt Collins, & Aaron Dugger- Finding and Remembering Your "Why"

Christopher Ballentine is proud to serve as the Director of Instrumental Music at Easton Area High School in Easton, Pennsylvania. In this position, Christopher oversees an instrumental music program of 370 students in grades 9 – 12. He is a proud graduate of Easton Area High School and former director, Ms. Carole Lutte. Prior to accepting the position at Easton, Christopher graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Penn State University in 2015. From 2015 – 2018, he taught as an instrumental music teacher in the North Hills School District in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2018, Christopher was recognized as the Outstanding Young Music Educator by the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA). He also served for one year on the board for PMEA District I before accepting the position at Easton Area High School. For information on the instrumental music program at Easton Area High School, please visit their website at www.eahsmusic.org Find Chris by contacting him at ballentine@eastonsd.org. Matt Collins currently serves as Band Director in Duxbury Public Schools, located in southeastern Massachusetts. Here he teaches all things band related from elementary beginners to the DHS Wind Ensemble. Matt is a graduate of Penn State University where he earned his Bachelors in Music Education. There he studied trumpet with Dr. Langston J. Fitzgerald III and conducting from Professor Dennis Glocke, Dr. Eric Bush, and Dr. Carter Biggers. Duxbury Bands Twitter Duxbury Bands Instagram … or Email Matt at m7collins@gmail.com Aaron Dugger, a native of Pennsylvania, graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Music Education. While at Penn State, Mr. Dugger was a performing member of the Penn State Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Tuba/ Euphonium Ensemble, and the Penn State Marching Blue Band. He is a student of Velvet Brown, Dennis Glocke, Darrin Thornton, and Christopher Hornick. In 2016, Mr. Dugger relocated to Texas where he served as the Assistant Director of Middle School Bands at Melissa Middle School in Melissa Texas. After 2 years, Mr. Dugger moved to Melissa High School where he served as the Associate Director of Bands and the director of the Cardinal Marching Band. Mr. Dugger is an active clinician and drill writer for bands across the country. He serves on the brass staff for the 2019 DCI World Championship Silver Medalists, The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Dugger was a performing member of the Bluecoats from 2013-2015. Propser ISD Bluecoats Drum Corps Find Aaron by contacting him at amdugger@prosper-isd.net