Dr. Daniel Hester

Biography

Dr. Hester has taught music to students from pre-kindergarten to college. He served as music specialist for J. Glenn Edwards Elementary School (K-5) in Lee County, where he was twice honored as Teacher of the Year. He also served as lead teacher for Lee County’s Kaleidoscope, a summer program for gifted rising sixth-grade students. His elementary school chorus performed in the North Carolina Governor’s Mansion and the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. He is an adjunct professor of organ at Campbell University. Dr. Hester has been a contributing writer for the North Carolina Symphony Teacher Handbook. Other accomplishments include Orff-Schulwerk Certifications and a research project to determine relationships among grade level, gender, ethnicity, rhythmic aptitude and English-language reading skills of early elementary students. Additionally, Dr. Hester was a contributing writer for the North Carolina Music Planner published by Scott Foresman. He is the 2009 recipient of the Maxine Swalin Outstanding Music Educator Award presented by the North Carolina Symphony. Dr. Hester has served as the organist for Jonesboro United Methodist Church for 43 years where he supervised the installation of the Holtkamp Pipe Organ in 1994. As a member of the Organ Selection Committee for Butler Chapel, he played a major part in selecting the tonal and console design of the Stephens Pipe Organ as well as being the featured performer for the dedication recital. More recently, Dr. Hester was instrumental in designing the Allen Organ for the recently renovated Hobson Performing Arts Center at Campbell University. Dr. Hester studied organ under Susan B. Horton and Dr. Fred Hohman. Dr. Hester teaches in Butler Chapel.