A music educator of “tremendous talent and depth,” Phil Giampietro serves as the Director of Bands at William H. Hall High School (West Hartford, CT) where he oversees two award-winning jazz ensembles, a 100-member Concert Band, and several jazz combos. Mr. Giampietro joined the Hall faculty in 2024. In his past position at Staples High School (Westport, CT), Mr. Giampietro  also taught honors-level coursework in music theory and American popular music in addition to directing the concert and jazz bands. He possesses a passionate interest in empowering students to find joy in realizing their authentic selves through the process of making and studying music.

In the first year under his direction, the Hall High School Concert Jazz Band received numerous honors and invitations, including selection as a finalist for both the 2025 Essentially Ellington and Charles Mingus competitions. They will also be a featured ensemble at the 2025 International Womens Brass Conference, hosted by The Hartt School. Previously, the Staples Jazz Ensemble has received accolades from the National Jazz Festival (2nd Place, 2023, Division L1) and the Connecticut Music Educators Association (Showcase Ensemble at the 2022 CMEA conference). In 2023, Mr. Giampietro was nominated for Westport Teacher of the Year. He has been a member of the American School Band Directors Association since 2022.

Mr. Giampietro is an award-winning euphonium player, recently performing as a substitute musician with the West Point Band (US Army). He received First Prize in the International Tuba Euphonium Association’s 2010 Euphonium Artist Competition, and is a three-time semi-finalist in the Leonard Falcone Euphonium Artist Competition. His credits include solos with both the Symphonic Band and Concert Band at Ithaca College, a recital at UMASS Amherst, participation in several ITEA conference recitals, and numerous masterclasses.

Mr. Giampietro holds a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance from the University of North Texas, where he studied with world renowned euphonium pedagogue Dr. Brian Bowman. He also holds a dual Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education and Euphonium Performance from Ithaca College.

Haig Shahverdian is a highly-respected music educator with extensive knowledge of jazz ensemble technique, pedagogy, and repertoire. He taught middle school and high school for more than 40 years and was supervisor of fine and performing arts in the West Hartford Public Schools. Down Beat magazine has recognized Shahverdian as an Outstanding Jazz Educator. Under his direction, the Hall High School Concert Jazz Band has been recognized nationally and achieved numerous awards including Down Beat magazine (Outstanding HS Jazz Recording, Outstanding HS Musicians, Outstanding Jazz Combo), multiple Essentially Ellington Competition & Festival first-place awards, and Berklee Jazz Festival (Outstanding Jazz Ensemble and multiple first-place awards and Outstanding Musician awards), and was featured at an IAJE Convention with Wynton Marsalis as guest soloist. The Concert Jazz Band has performed with Phil Woods, Slide Hampton, Randy Brecker, Jimmy Heath, and many other jazz greats. Currently, Shahverdian is on the jazz faculty at Hall High School, and leads the nonprofit foundation, Gifts of Music, which provides instrumental lessons to underserved students.

Nathan Edwards is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a degree in Music Education. In addition, he recently completed a Master's degree in Jazz Studies at the Jackie Mclean Institute of Jazz within the Hartt School of Music. Throughout his time performing and studying music he has had the opportunity to perform with jazz icons such as Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Kenny Garrett, Jimmy Heath, Orrin Evans, Lewis Nash, Steve Davis and Jimmy Greene. Although an active performer, Nathan Edwards has established a career in Music Education where he has discovered a passion for teaching and enriching the minds of his students through music and performing. As a founding member of the CMEA Equity and Advocacy Committee, Mr. Edwards has presented at Sacred Heart University and the University of Hartford.  He is currently the Director of Bands at King Philip Middle School School in West Hartford.

Matt Parker is a New York City-based saxophonist and composer who recently moved his family to the Hartford area. Mentored by Jimmy Cavallo (South Florida saxophone legend) and studied with Gary Cambell, Gary Keller, Junior Mance, Reggie Workman, Mike Karn, and Jane Ira Bloom. Career highlights include: Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, The Mingus Big Band, Cape Town Youth Choir, Bridgett Everett, David Bromberg, Ariana Grande, Phil Woods, Ad-Rock, Dorrance Dance, appeared in and recorded for the blockbuster film John Wick, and two years touring with Maynard Ferguson. Ensembles include: Big Bop Nouveau, Hess Is More, Murray Hill, Post Modern Jukebox, Reggie Watkins, Greg Garing, The Candy Shop Boys, and 2s and 4s. Parker has written and released two records under his name World Put Together (2014) and Present Time (2016), both albums chosen by DownBeat Magazine for their albums of the year. He is the composer and musical director for Hand Forged Fiction and Variety Life Production, Theater companies that concentrate on creating original content. Under the nom de sax Sonny Lauderdale, Parker is a signature artist for PremiumBeat. Parker attended the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at The New School and is a D'Addario artist. 

Evan Gray currently resides in Waterbury and regularly performs in the Tri-State area. Evan has performed at venues such as Dizzy’s Club, Infinity Music Hall, Katherine Hepburn Theater and Daryl’s House. He is a member of the Hartford Jazz Orchestra, Connecticut Transit Authority (Chicago tribute group), Five Metal Chemistry Brass Quintet, and leads his own jazz groups. Evan is also a frequent performer with the New London Big Band, The Other Orchestra, Rob Zappulla Big Band, Stanley Street Big Band and other regional pop groups. In addition to being an active performer, Evan is a music educator. He instructs private trombone lessons and serves as the CMEA Southern Region Middle School Jazz and Flute Choir chairs. Currently, he is a teacher at Lincoln Middle School in Meriden. At Lincoln Middle School, he instructs the band, jazz, and world music programs. He is also the brass instructor for the Maloney High School Marching Band.