Director's Page

Bio

Mr. Bruce is the band director for Central Wilkes Middle School and Wilkes Central High School as of the 2019-2020 academic year.

Originally from Winston Salem, NC, Mr. Bruce graduated from Ronald W. Reagan High School and then attended Western Carolina University for his undergraduate studies in Music Education.

High School

During his time at Reagan High School, Mr. Bruce had many accomplishments as a young musician. Below are a few highlights of his early music career:

• Numerous 1st chair placements for All-County Band, All-District Band, and All-County Orchestra.

• NC All-State Band performer- Timpani.

• John Phillip Sousa National Band Award.

• "Student of Distinction" Letter in Band.

Mr. Bruce found his passion for competitive music when he joined the marching band as a freshman at Reagan HS. Years of marching band, concert band, and extra curricular activities led him to realize what he wanted to do for a career: become a music educator. Andrew Craft, the Reagan HS band director at the time, was one of many who encouraged Mr. Bruce to pursue music as a career.

College

Western Carolina University was the next step to becoming a teacher. The rigorous standards of WCU offer many essential skills to their teacher candidates through university required liberal-study classes and through major-specific courses. Music Education students are expected to perform in major ensembles, perform public recitals, become ethical and effective leaders, and be proficient with content knowledge and pedagogy.

Mr. Bruce proved to be an "Outstanding Prospective Teacher" during his time at WCU, especially as a student teacher at Macon Middle School for his Internship II degree requirement. As evidence of his effective teaching, his final evaluation (Certification of Teaching Capacity) for student teaching had the highest marks in all categories.

Early Field Experience Teaching:

• Smoky Mountain High School: 9-12 Chorus

• Mountain View Intermediate School: 5-6 Music and Band

• Swain Middle and Swain High School: 6-12 Band

• Smoky Mountain High School: 9-12 Band **Internship I**

• Cullowhee Valley Elementary: K-8 Music

• Macon Middle School: 7-8 Band **Internship II**

Staff Experience:

• Franklin High School: Front Ensemble Technician; 2015

• East Hall High School: Front Ensemble Instructor; 2016

• Decatur High School: Front Ensemble Instructor; 2016

• WCU Summer Symposium: Equipment and Front Ensemble; 2015-2017