Utley Middle School Orchestra Directors
Josh Hadsell, Orchestra DirectorMr. Hadsell grew up in Northwest Arkansas where he joined the local orchestra program in 6th grade playing viola. Mr. Hadsell has been teaching since 2012 where he started out as an elementary music teacher for Richardson ISD for two years. He then began his string orchestra directing career in 2014 at Rockwall High School and was there 3 years as the Assistant Director. He has been at Utley ever since as the Head Orchestra Director for the program. He received his Bachelors of Music Education degree from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri.
Under his direction, the Utley orchestra program has grown in size and level, received continuous sweepstakes awards at the annual orchestra UIL contest, and has become a place for students to learn and express themselves through music on their instruments. He spends most of his time with his wife Leah of 11 years, two children Farryn (4) and Nash (2), and his hairy yet ever faithful Golden Retriever, Gordon. He enjoys listening to most genres of music, being outside and adventurous, and eating Mexican food. (YUM) |
Abigail Waymon, Assistant DirectorAbby Waymon has been teaching orchestra at Utley Middle School in Rockwall for two years. She graduated from Oklahoma City University with her Bachelors in Music Education and her Masters in Double Bass Performance, and during that time she was awarded Outstanding Student in Instrumental Music Education.
Mrs. Waymon’s first experience in education was with El Sistema Oklahoma, where she taught double bass class and conducted an intermediate level full orchestra. She has taught in both Oklahoma and Texas covering grades 5-12, and she performed with the Fort Smith Symphony for two seasons. Mrs. Waymon loves dogs and the Dallas Mavs, and she will never say no to ice cream! |