Dr. Hunter Kopczynski

Hunter Kopczynski serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he conducts the UNC Charlotte Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Kopczynski earned the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Wind Conducting from Michigan State University. He also completed a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude in Music from Virginia Tech. His principal conducting teachers were Kevin L. Sedatole and Travis J. Cross. Kopczynski comes to Charlotte after holding similar positions at Mars Hill University and in the public schools of Virginia. At MHU, he coordinated the band program, conducted the Wind Symphony, and taught courses in conducting and music education. Additionally, he served as music director and conductor of the Asheville Symphony Youth Orchestra. While at Michigan State, he was active in all aspects of the concert and athletic bands program and served the broader MSU community as a Leadership Fellow in the Graduate School. He is an advocate for the expansion and development of the wind repertoire. In his research and teaching, Kopczynski is especially interested in the intersection of experience and curriculum to create healthy ensemble culture. A supporter and advocate for music education, Kopczynski taught middle school and high school band in the public schools of Virginia for seven years. He is an active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor, and has presented at state and regional music education conferences. He holds professional membership in the College Band Directors National Association and the National Association for Music Education.