The James Blair Middle School Band Program has three primary performance ensembles- Spider Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band. Students can also participate in extracurricular activities, including Jazz Band and District Band. Students will have the opportunity to perform at school events, around the Williamsburg community, and at the Festival of Music at Kings Dominion.

Olivia Lawson is the Band Director at James Blair Middle School. Prior to her appointment at James Blair, she served as the Band Director at New Kent Middle School for three years. During her time there, the band program grew to over 180 students, she directed the three concert bands and a jazz band, facilitated a chamber music club, and a chapter of the Tri-M National Music Honor Society. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech, where she received both the Master's of Arts of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and the Bachelor's of Arts in Music Education and Flute Performance. Mrs. Lawson is a member of the National Association for Music Education and the Virginia Music Educators Association. Outside of school, Mrs. Lawson enjoys spending time with her family, playing flute and piano, teaching with VIPKid, doing Zumba, cooking, and hiking.

Olivia.Lawson@wjccschools.org