Brian Akesson

Brian Akesson is currently the director at Kentridge High School in Kent, WA. He is in demand as a performer, clinician and adjudicator in jazz and concert idioms throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Priviously, Brian has held the Director of Bands position at Shorewood High School in Shoreline, WA., Director of instrumental Music at Lindbergh High School in Renton, WA., Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Waashington, and Graduate Assistant with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. As a high school director, he has directed concert bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles, and percussion ensembles. His ensembles have consistently earned superior marks at regional festivals, and competed at regional and national competitions. His diverse background in performanace and instruction touches every genre of music from baroque orchestra and British military band, to traditional jazz and comtemporary marching band.

At the University of Washington, Mr. Akesson aided in the total administration of the UW Husky Athletic Band program, including music composition, drill design, instruction, conducting, drum line instruction, and travel planning. Groups under his direction performed at the Rose Bowl, Rose Parade, Holiday Bowl and Parade,
Sun Bowl, Aloha Bowl, internationally in Sydney, Australia, and perfromed with the Wailers, Maynard Ferguson, and Mark O'Connor. Brian was also involved with the UW Studio jazz program under Roy Cummings as the Studio Jazz II instructor.

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Brian instructed the Nebraska-Lincoln, assisted in the instruction of persussion students, and conducted Symphonic Band and Wind Ensembles. Groups under his directioin performed at the Orange Bowl and Parade, and the Kennedy Center Honors with Doc Severinsen.

Mr. Akesson currently resides in Covington with his wife and 2.3 kids (2 kids and 1 large dog) and is a freelance percussionist in the greater Puget Sound area.