BIO

Charles Patterson is a music educator and conductor whose work spans secondary education, community ensembles, and scholarly research in music education.

Charles received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Georgia Southern University, where he studied orchestral conducting with Maestro Adrian Gnam, former conductor of the Macon Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Southern Symphony Orchestra, and Eugene Symphony Orchestra.

In August 2016, Charles was appointed Music Director of the Effingham Community Orchestra in Rincon, Georgia. Under his leadership, the orchestra—comprised of musicians ranging from high school students to older adult performers—presents three to four concerts annually featuring orchestral and wind band repertoire.

Charles has received repeated recognition for his conducting on the national stage. He was awarded First Place in the International Conductor's Workshop and Competition in Atlanta, Georgia in July 2017, and was again named a winner in January 2019 and June 2022. In June 2018, he also served as a guest conductor with the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Charles earned his Master of Music Education degree from Georgia Southern University in Spring 2020. Later that year, he began doctoral studies at the University of South Florida, pursuing the Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education. He completed his PhD in December 2024, with scholarly interests centered on creativity, curriculum design, and cognitive perspectives in music teaching and learning.

In August 2023, Charles was appointed Orchestra Director of the Pelion High School Orchestra in Pelion, South Carolina, where he continues to teach, conduct, and advocate for meaningful, student-centered music education.