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Leadership

Please contact us at info@philadelphiafreedomband.com with general questions.

Hayley Varhol

Artistic Director, Concert Bands

Hayley Varhol (she/her), MME, is a multi-instrumentalist who has been conducting, performing, and teaching in the greater Philadelphia area since 2000. She has a master’s degree in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Temple University, where she studied bass trombone with Tyrone Breuninger.

Hayley currently teaches music in grades 6-12 at the Germantown Friends School. She performs with the West Philadelphia Orchestra on baritone horn and voice, and you might also spot her donning a dirndl while playing trombone in Polkadelphia! Hayley has a long history with the Philadelphia Freedom Band, as she was an active member and conductor from 2008 to 2011. Her second tenure as Artistic Director began in 2016. In 2018, she was honored to conduct her first Pride Bands Alliance National Conference Band in Kansas City.

Assistant Artistic Director, Concert Bands

Ryan Lowrie (he/him) is a music teacher and conductor living in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. He holds a master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting and a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, both from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Outside of the Philadelphia Freedom Band, Ryan is a music teacher and ensemble director at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur.

Over the last decade, Ryan has worked with music students of all ages from Kindergarten through collegiate and independent performing ensembles. 2025 marks Ryan’s fourth year with the Freedom Band, both as a conductor and performer.

Ryan Lowrie

Esau Jones

Jazz Ensemble Director

Esau Jones (he/him) is a consummately trained music educator, composer and multi-instrumentalist from Covington and New Orleans, LA. He holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Loyola University New Orleans with a double major in Music Education and Composition, and recently completed a Hybrid Masters in Music and Music Education Degree from Columbia University. Jones currently serves as a PreK- 8th general music, orchestra, and choir teacher in the West Philadelphia area. Additionally, Esau has worked as a Music Director for musical theater throughout West Philadelphia and Upper Darby in partnership with Upper Darby Summer Stage.

Esau performs with the Philadelphia Freedom Band as a concert flutist, and serves as the artistic director for the band's newly revived jazz ensemble. In his leisure time, Jones enjoys cooking and playing rugby. Heavily influenced by his personal experiences, Jones centers music on experiencing life through and with others. He hopes to create safer, healthier, and enjoyable environments through collaboration and incorporation of shared experiences by way of music making. Esau joined as Jazz Ensemble Director in 2023.