S. Michelle Slayton

S. Michelle Slayton is currently in her 5^th year of band directing at Gentry High School and Gentry Middle School.  Ms. Slayton attended high school at El Dorado High School in El Dorado, Arkansas.  She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Arkansas and her Master’s Degree from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.  She also earned her ESL endorsement from Arkansas Tech University. 

Professional affiliations include:  Arkansas Winds Community Band, Tau Beta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Iota, Arkansas Band and Orchestra Association, Arkansas Women Band Directors Association, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, and Christian Life Cathedral Music Ensembles.

Michelle was in the Razorback Marching Band, Hog Wild Band, and the University of Arkansas Wind Symphony. She was also in the Missouri State University Wind Ensemble.  She has studied with W. Dale Warren, Timothy Gunter, Robert Umiker, and Dr. Belva Prather. 

While attending the University of Arkansas, Ms. Slayton performed with the Wind Symphony in the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City.  She also marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland. 

In the summer, she teaches private lessons and serves as a counselor at the University of Arkansas Music Camps.  In her free time she teaches piano and clarinet lessons and loves to go to the beach.  Ms. Slayton also enjoys Broadway musicals and symphony performances.  Her favorite musicians are Yo Yo Ma, Larry Combs, John Williams, B. B. King, and Benny Goodman.