Band Directors

Band Directors

• Director of Bands

  Ms. Lisa Hazlett

  Lisa Hazlett graduated Magna Cum Laude from Slippery Rock University with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Music Education and Music Therapy with a 4.0 in all music, therapy and education classes. At SRU, she was drum major of the marching band for two seasons, secretary for the Mid-Atlantic Region of Music Therapy Students and won the Slippery Rock University Student Conductor’s Competition. She was principal clarinetist of the Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band and Dixieland Band. During her years at SRU, she served the marching band as president and secretary, the Music Therapy Club as secretary, and Mu Phi Epsilon as president and vice president. She taught privately at Johntonbaugh’s Music Center in Gibsonia.

  Ms. Hazlett was a Board-Certified Music Therapist at the Matheny School and Hospital (Now the Matheny Medical and Educational Center) in Peapack, NJ to enhance the lives of clients with various disabilities. She worked as a Private Practice Contract Music Therapist at the Allegro School in Cedar Knolls, NJ and served children with autism. She performed with the Bound Brook Orchestra which she conducted for a season, Grace Fellowship Handbell Choir and performed in local pit orchestras each spring.

  A Board-Certified Music Therapist with the Austin Independent School District in Texas, Lisa Hazlett served elementary students with physical and emotional disabilities in self-contained classrooms. She performed with the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble, Austin Chamber Winds and taught clarinet lessons to students in 3 school districts.

  Ms. Hazlett was the Fine Arts Department Head and Band Director at Pine Castle Christian Academy in Orlando, FL for 6 years and turned a band program with just 16 students in grades 6-12 into one with over 100 students and earned Superior Ratings at each adjudication. She started a wind ensemble, pep band and mentor program.

  In Jefferson County Schools, Lisa worked one year at Shepherdstown MS and was Washington HS’s Assistant Band Director when it opened its doors in 2008. She has been the Director of Bands since Fall 2019.

  Under Lisa Hazlett’s direction, the Washington High School Jazz Ensemble was named the West Virginia Music Educators Association 2023 High School Jazz Honor Band. To date, she is the only female high school band director to have any honor band for jazz or concert band in the history of the State of West Virginia. Additionally, the Washington High School Marching Patriots were selected to represent The Great State of West Virginia at the 2022 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. She is a member of Mu Phi Epsilon, Mu Kappa Gamma, WVEA, NAfME and WVMEA.

  Ms. Hazlett lives in Charles Town with her sons, Patrick, Parker and Peyton.

• Assistant Director of Bands

  Mr. Matthew Holmes

  Matthew Holmes is a product of Jefferson County Schools. As a high schooler, he
  was awarded many musical honors, such as being appointed 1st chair tuba in the WVMEA
  all-state band, 1st chair bassist in the WVMEA all-state orchestra, as well as being selected
  as the sole bassist for the NAFME all-national jazz band.
  Mr. Holmes attended William Paterson University for his undergraduate degree,
  pursuing a Bachelor of Music Performance: Jazz Studies. He graduated Summa Cum
  Laude and was given the Dean’s Award from the college of arts, humanities and education
  for superior academics and the Outstanding Jazz Student from the department of Jazz
  Studies. While at William Paterson, he had the opportunity to study under jazz legends
  such as Bill Charlap, Jeremy Pelt, Vincent Herring, David Wong, Russell Malone, Steve
  LaSpina, Marcus McLaurine, Gene Bertoncini and Geoffrey Keezer, among others. He has
  performed at many prestigious jazz clubs like Dizzy’s Club in New York City and Chris’s
  Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia. For his graduate degree, Holmes attended Shepherd University,
  where he pursued a Masters of Arts in Teaching.
  Mr. Holmes returned to Jefferson County Schools as the Choir Director at
  Shepherdstown Middle School. Currently, Mr. Holmes serves as Washington High School’s
  Assistant Band Director. In addition, he teaches music lessons (Upright Bass, Cello,
  Guitar, Piano, Music Theory, Trumpet, Tuba and Jazz Improvisation) both privately and at
  Ellsworth School of Music. Mr. Holmes is also a freelance jazz bassist in the Washington
  D.C. metropolitan area.