Meet the Director

I'm Carley Gerdes!

I am a NHCS native, and attended Holly Shelter Middle School and Laney High School. Through middle and high school, I played the viola and participated in many local and state events such as All County Orchestra, Eastern Regional Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble, MPA, Wilmington Symphony Junior Strings, and the Wilmington Symphony Youth Orchestra. I also attended the UNCG Summer Music Camp for two summers as a camper (and still do, now as a counselor!).

After graduating high school in 2017, I attended UNCG and received a BM in Music Education with a Minor in Psychology in 2021. I studied under Dr. Scott Rawls and Dr. Rebecca Macleod. While I was in college, I was a member of UNCG chapter of NAfME(C), and was the co-president of our ASTA chapter. I was also a member of a National Professional Music Fraternity, ΣΑΙ (Sigma Alpha Iota), where I served the corresponding and recording secretary. Outside of my studies, I taught through the Peck Alumni Leadership Program and taught volunteer violin lessons through Harmony Music School.

I also play the viola with the Wilmington Symphony and the Talis Chamber Orchestra. When not teaching or playing the viola, you can find me dancing and teaching Lindy Hop with our local dance community! I also spend a lot of time crocheting, playing board games, and hanging out with my two cats, Earl Grey and Jameson. :)