Biography

Conductor-teacher Kole Butler serves as the choral director at Thomas A. Edison High School in Fairfax County Public Schools, located in Alexandria, VA. In addition to his work in the choral classroom, he is the Traditional Music Director at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where he conducts both the adult and handbell choirs. He also serves on the executive board of the Virginia chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

Previously, Butler served on the vocal music faculty of the Virginia Governor’s School for Visual and Performing Arts. He also served as choral director and later as the electives mentor teacher at the Student U High School Academy in Durham, NC, where he supported and mentored novice elective teachers. Butler is also the co-founder of Young Conductors, a podcast created to inspire, educate, and encourage aspiring conductor-teachers.

He holds a master’s degree in choral conducting and music education from Radford University, where he studied under Dr. Meredith Bowen. His research explored socially conscious teaching and programming, emphasizing welcoming and culturally relevant practices in the choral classroom. Butler earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from West Virginia University, where he studied conducting with Dr. Kym Scott and voice with Laura Knoop Very.

Butler has been selected to participate in masterclasses with renowned conductors, including Drs. Sandra Snow, Daniel Bara, Jennifer Sengin, Amanda Quist, and Janet Galván, among others.

He maintains an active schedule as a guest clinician, adjudicator, and presenter, collaborating with the region’s young singers and pre-service conductor-teachers.