James Hairston was the Assistant Band Director at Dripping Springs H.S. from 2018-2019. His responsibilities included directing the H.S. Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Orchestra, and assisting with the H.S. Wind Ensemble and Concert Band.  Under his direction the Jazz Orchestra placed 2nd at the University of Texas at Austin Longhorn Jazz Festival.

Mr. Hairston was the Director of Bands at Lamar Middle School & Fine Arts Academy in Austin, Texas from 2009-2018.  Mr. Hairston conducted the Symphonic Winds and Jazz Ensemble, as well as holding responsibility for woodwind pedagogy. Under his direction, the Jazz Ensemble was invited to the 69th Annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois and the 8th Annual Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Jazz Ensemble was also a multiple recipient of the Mark of Excellence National Jazz Honors. The Symphonic Winds was an invited ensemble at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana and the 71st Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.  

Mr. Hairston received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He received his Master's degree in Saxophone Performance from The University of Texas at Austin where he studied with Harvey Pittel. While at The University of Texas, Mr. Hairston was a member of the UT Wind Ensemble under the direction of Jerry Junkin.

Mr. Hairston is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, The Jazz Education Network and performs with the Austin Saxophone Ensemble and Austin Theater Project.

2019-20 State Junior High/Middle School Jazz Festival Adjudicators/Clinicians

Philip Kuehn is the Director of Jazz Studies at Snow College and has been a musician his whole life. He started working in the Pittsburgh Jazz Scene at the age of 12. He has earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Jazz Studies from the Juilliard School. During his 10 years of experience in the New York and worldwide Jazz and music scenes, he has worked on numerous occasions with Wynton Marsalis’s groups: The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, and The Wynton Marsalis Octet and Quintet. He has toured with Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis, Jonathan Batiste, and Khristian Dentley of Take 6, and recorded with Khristian Dentley, Kirk Whalum, Justin Kauflin and Jonathan Batiste. He has also performed with Roy Hargrove, on ABC with Tony Bennett, and at the White House and Kennedy Center with the late Dr. Billy Taylor. He is also active as a composer, arranger, and transcriptionist. He recently completed a 24- song transcription portfolio of pre-1960 songs for Harry Connick, Jr.