Education:
Bachelor of Music Education, UNC Charlotte (2013)
Master of School Administration, UNC Charlotte (2021)
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Rust College
Hometown: Byhalia, MS
Dareion Malone has been singing and playing piano since early childhood, but even so, he began his career as a business man, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Rust College in Mississippi and entering corporate America before he returned to his first love of music. After graduating from UNC Charlotte in 2013 with a Bachelor of Music Education, he worked for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as a choir director from 2013 to 2016 and held the position as Chorus Master and Men's Chorus accompanist at UNC Charlotte, 2014–2017. He also worked for Union County Public Schools as a choir director at Marvin Ridge High School in Waxhaw, 2016–2021. He was recognized as Teacher of the Year for Union County Public Schools for 2020-2021.
Dareion has performed nationally and internationally, including in West Africa, South Africa, and Europe. His stage credits include performances with Celine Dion, Dolly Parton, and other mainstream recording artists. His baritone voice has been featured in numerous ensembles as well as principal opera roles. He has appeared as a soloist with the Charlotte Symphony and Chorus as well as other regional ensembles. Works have included J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244), George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, and Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.
An advocate for music education, Dareion has been an active member of the Charlotte choral community, having served on various artistic boards, chairing the Repertoire and Resources Committee for Senior High Choirs for the North Carolina Chapter of ACDA, and sitting on the board of the choral section of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. He has also adjudicated for WorldStrides Heritage Festivals. Dareion founded the choral ensemble Sine Nomine, a choir committed to engaging audiences through innovative musical experiences to promote the education and appreciation of music. He is a clinician, arranger, and composer with publications with Hinshaw Music.
Dareion returned to UNC Charlotte to earn his Master of School Administration and since 2021 as been an assistant principal at Sun Valley High School in Monroe, N.C. He resides in Charlotte and serves as Director of Music at Quali Hollow Presbyterian Church. Much of his time is given to creating ways to provide access to quality music education for all students, especially those situated in areas that have been marginalized.
Dareion received the 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award in music and served on the inaugural advisory board for the College of Arts + Architecture.