Hunter Mullins is an active performer, studio teacher, and music educator. He earned a Bachelor of Music from East Tennessee State University in 2008, receiving the Frank E. Little award for academic excellence, and went on to obtain a Master of Education in 2009 from Milligan College. His Doctor of Education in educational leadership was completed at East Tennessee State University in 2021.
He became the band director at John Sevier Middle School in Kingsport, Tennessee, in 2009. As band director at John Sevier Middle School, Mullins had the opportunity to continue a long tradition of musical excellence at his own alma mater. Performing ensembles included beginning band, concert band, jazz band, and percussion ensemble. Notable accolades under Mullins’ direction included multiple Superior ratings at concert festival in Grade III and invitations to perform the National Anthem in collaboration with the Ross N. Robinson Middle School band at the Chattanooga Lookouts, Asheville Tourists, and Tennessee Smokies baseball parks as well as Dolly’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge.
In 2021, Mullins became the instructor of elementary and instrumental music at University School, a lab school on the campus of East Tennessee State University serving students in grades K-12. His current teaching responsibilities include elementary music in grades K-4 and instrumental music in grades 5-12. Current ensembles include beginning, intermediate, and high school band.
Mullins is an adjunct music faculty member at Milligan University. His duties at the school include teaching the brass studio, brass methods, and world music. Additionally, Hunter’s growing experience has led to him being sought out as a clinician and festival adjudicator. He served as the clinician for the Smyth County, Virginia, middle school honor band in 2018 and stage judge for the Virginia District VII concert festival in 2019. Hunter is currently scheduled to be the middle school clinician for the Virginia District VII honor band in 2022.
Other awards include the “Outstanding Teacher Award” from the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts in 2012 and 2014 and the Rosemary Smith “Touching Lives” Remembrance Award in 2019 for the Sevier staff member causing the greatest impact upon students throughout middle school. All of these awards were student nominated and selected.
Performance and studio teaching are high priorities for Mullins. His private studio has produced many all-state players and college scholarship recipients on trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Mullins has been the 2nd trombonist for the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra since 2004 and regularly performs with several other regional ensembles including the Symphony of the Mountains, Jonesborough Rhythm Express, Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra, and various stage bands. He performed as a guest artist at the Tennessee Music Education Association state conference in 2016. He has been Kingsport’s TubaChristmas coordinator since 2013, as well. His primary teachers include Bill Medearis, Jimmie Self, and David Bubsey. Mullins also studied with Don Hough, Dale Warren, and Brad Kerns. He and his wife, Leslie, have four young daughters, Chloe, Clara, Chyler, and Coda.