Music Department Announces New Director of Choral Activities

The Department of Music has announced that Dr. Jason Dungee will join the faculty in August as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities.

A conductor, tenor, and music educator, Dr. Dungee holds degrees from the University of Arizona, Westminster Choir College, and Hampton University (Virginia). Prior to appointments as Director of Choral Studies in South Carolina and Florida, he enjoyed eight years as a successful high school choral music teacher in Newport News and Williamsburg, Virginia. He was a Conductor Fellow in the 16th Varna International Music Academy in Varna, Bulgaria, and in March of 2020, was co-conductor of the first HBCU Tribute Choir for the Southern Division American Choral Directors Association Conference.

Recently, Dr. Dungee has found success in popular music and entertainment as well. He was selected for two consecutive years to prepare choirs for the southeast leg of HBO’s internationally acclaimed touring production of The Game of Thrones Live Experience, featuring music from the TV program. While in South Carolina, he conducted sold-out, critically acclaimed performances as guest conductor of the Charleston Gospel Choir and sang the tenor solo with the London Symphony Orchestra as they premiered Andre Thomas’s Mass.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Dungee to the Department of Music,” said Chair Joe Skillen. “Coming to us from Claflin University (Orangeburg, South Carolina), he brings a wealth of vocal and choral experience in multiple venues. His work in restorative and anti-racist pedagogies is particularly valuable as both the College and the Department continue our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our curricula. In addition, his experience having taught at both an R1 (Research I) university and an HBCU (Historically Black College/University) contributes an academic breadth that aligns well with the strategic initiatives of the University.”