Welcome Dr. Hunter Mullins, University School Music Department
We are pleased to welcome our new K-4 General Music and 5-12 Band Director, Dr. Hunter Mullins to the University School family. Hunter Mullins is an active public educator, performer, studio teacher. He was most recently the band director at John Sevier Middle School in Kingsport from 2009-2021. Dr. Mullins earned a Bachelor of Music from East Tennessee State University in 2008, receiving the Frank E. Little award for academic excellence. He went on to obtain a Master of Education in 2009 from Milligan University. Hunter recently defended his dissertation in the area educational leadership at East Tennessee State University.
Dr. Mullins has been an adjunct music faculty member at Milligan University since 2017. 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, VA, middle school honor band in 2018 and stage judge for the Virginia District VII concert festival in 2019. Hunter is currently scheduled to be a middle school clinician for the Virginia District VII honor band in 2022.
Other awards accredited to Dr. Mullins 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 Hunter. His private studio has produced many all-state players and college scholarship recipients on trombone, euphonium, and tuba. Dr. Mullins has been the 2nd trombonist with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra since 2004 and he regularly performs with a number of other regional ensembles including the Symphony of the Mountains, the Jonesborough Rhythm Express, and various stage bands such as the Benny Wilson Band. Hunter performed as a guest artist at the Tennessee Music Education Association state conference in 2016. Dr. Mullins has been Kingsport’s TubaChristmas coordinator since 2013 as well. His primary teachers include Bill Medearis, Jimmie Self, and David Bubsey. He also studied with Don Hough, Dale Warren, and Brad Kerns. Hunter and his wife, Leslie, have four young daughters, Chloe, Clara, Chyler, and Coda.