Center Stage Jazz Band

Damon E. Coachman is a Performing Arts Instructor at Sacred Heart University. His first exposure to jazz started when he was a young musician taking trumpet lessons at The Artist’s Collective in Hartford, CT. On occasion, he even had the incredible opportunity to study music with the iconic Jackie McLean.  Previously, he was the Director of Bands at Bloomfield High School in Bloomfield, CT where he conducted the Bloomfield High School Symphonic Band and the Bloomfield High School Chamber Jazz Ensemble, and served as the advisor for the Bloomfield High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society.

Also, he was the Director of Bands at King Philip Middle School in West Hartford, CT where he conducted a concert band for each grade level, as well as jazz band and numerous chamber ensembles. Formerly, he was the Director of Bands at The Jumoke Academy of the Performing Arts at The Hartford Conservatory (2018-2019) and the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Bethel High School (2004-2018). Under his direction, the Bethel High School Symphonic Band won numerous superior ratings at Music in the Parks Festivals and Festival of Music Festivals. The Bethel High School Marching Wildcats became USBands National Champions in 2016. In 2018, the Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble won first place at The Berklee High School Jazz Festival. In the same year, the Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble received an outstanding rating at The University of New Hampshire’s Jazz Festival. His most recent guest conducting appearances include being the guest conductor for the 2022-2024 Laurel Music Camp Concert Band,  a guest choral clinician/conductor for the 2023 Ledyard All-District Choral Festival, guest conductor of the 2022 CMEA Eastern Region Middle School Jazz Ensemble, the 2019 Charter Oak Music Festival’s Jazz Band, and the 2017 Marywood University’s Junior Wind Band Celebration.  He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University. He has done graduate work in instrumental and choral music pedagogy and conducting at The Hartt School, Plymouth State University, and Central Connecticut State University. His professional affiliations include National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). At the state level, he has served the Connecticut Music Educators Association (CMEA) as a member of the Advocacy and Equity Committee, the Co-Chair for the Equity Professional Development Day, the Co-Ensemble Chair for the Connecticut All-State Band. For the Connecticut Chapter of ACDA, he has served on the Diversity Initiatives Committee. He enjoys playing trumpet in the Plainville Wind Ensemble and in the Capitol Symphonic Winds.  In the summer, he enjoys conducting the gospel choir at Laurel Music Camp and participating in the Concora Summer Choral Festival.