Biography

JaQuan O. Wiley is a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, pursuing a Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Instrumental Music Education (K-12 Certification) from Appalachian State University.

Previously, JaQuan taught in the public schools of North Carolina, most recently as Assistant Director of Bands at Asheville High School where his responsibilities included conducting the Symphonic Band, directing two Jazz Ensembles, co-directing the Marching Cougars, co-teaching instrumental classes at the feeder middle schools, and frequently guest conducting the Asheville High School Wind Symphony. Under his direction, the Asheville High School Symphonic Band achieved great success, including
consistent Superior ratings at District Music Performance Adjudication, performances at concert band invitationals, and a combined band performance in March 2024 with the Asheville High School Wind Symphony for the National Band and Orchestra Festival at Carnegie Hall. He also served as conductor of the Western Piedmont Youth Symphony.

JaQuan had the honor of guest conducting the Appalachian Wind Ensemble and Appalachian Concert Band numerous times. In 2023, he received the Ed Rooker Encore Award from the North Carolina chapter of the American School Band Directors Association, “presented to young bandmasters of distinction” within their first seven years of teaching.

In addition to his work at the public school level, JaQuan has served as a counselor for Cannon Music Camp (Appalachian State University) and a conductor at the Lenoir-Rhyne University Summer Band Camp. He has been active as a clinician and adjudicator in North Carolina, presented at the North Carolina Music Educators Conference and the Maryland Music Educators Fall In-Service Conference, and served as panelist for the College Music Society’s summer 2020 webinar, “A National
Conversation on Music Education in Higher Ed: At the Crossroads of Change?” He also served as Chair of the North Carolina Western Jazz Region.