The Northwestern High School Band Program is proud to announce the appointment of Hannah M. Carlson as the new Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern High School in Rock Hill, SC. Ms. Carlson replaces Ryan W. Tinker, who will remain with the band program as a consultant and instructor.
Hannah Carlson graduated from Furman University in 2016 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While at Furman, she served as the Band Secretary, Vice President, and Drum Major of the Paladin Regiment from 2013-2016. Additionally, she was the collegiate representative on the SCMEA Board of Directors from 2015-2016 and has served as the administrative director for the Poinsett Wind Symphony since 2013.
After graduating from Furman, Carlson pursued her Master’s in Instrumental Conducting, and Master’s in Percussion Performance at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. At Butler, she studied percussion with Jon Crabiel, a former assistant principal with the National Symphony Orchestra, and conducting with Michael Colburn, former director of “The President’s Own” US Marine Band. While in Indianapolis, she worked for Music for All, Inc., and served as the Director of Instrumental Music at the Sycamore School. She has presented lectures based on music education curriculum and research at the Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic, the South Carolina Music Educators Association, the Indiana Music Educators Association, and the Florida Music Educators Association.
Carlson regularly performs as a percussionist with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Classical Music Indy and has performed in masterclasses with Dame Evelyn Glennie, Keith Aleo, and Leigh Howard Stevens. She has also participated in multiple recording projects, including Matthew Burtner’s “Six Eco-Acoustic Quintets” and the “John Psathas Percussion Project (JP3)” as part of a partnership between Omar Carmenates and the Shi Center for Sustainability.
Carlson is committed to commissioning new music from diverse composers and believes in using arts education to foster curious and culturally aware students who will mature into actively engaged members of our community. Welcome to Northwestern!
