Director Bio

Dr. Christine Higley is the band and orchestra director at William H. Farquhar Middle School in Olney, Maryland. She recently completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting at the University of Maryland, where she conducted the UMD Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, University Band, and Lab Orchestra. She also served on staff with the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band and was the interim director of the Maryland Community Band.

Before coming to Maryland, Dr. Higley earned her Master of Music degree in Instrumental Conducting from California State University, Los Angeles in 2020. At CSULA, she taught Introduction to Music Education and Introduction to Classical Music in Western Culture, and served as president of the university’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education.

From 2014–2018, Dr. Higley was the band and orchestra director at Sunset Ridge Middle School in Salt Lake City, Utah. She also taught beginning band at the elementary level and was on staff with the Copper Hills High School Marching Band.

In addition to teaching and conducting, Dr. Higley is an active horn player. She has performed with the University of Maryland Horn Choir, served as horn section leader for the CSULA Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and played with the Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, the Brigham Young University–Idaho Symphony Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from BYU–Idaho.