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Dr. Adam Kehl

Associate Professor of Music
Associate Director of Bands


Dr. Adam Kehl serves as Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, where he conducts the symphonic band and concert band, directs the Rainbow Warrior Marching Band, and teaches courses in music education. He previously served as Director of Bands at Elon University in Elon, NC, conducting the wind ensemble and chamber winds, directing the marching and basketball bands, teaching courses in music education and advising undergraduate research projects. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Kehl holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Percussion Performance from the University of Oregon, a Master of Music in conducting from the University of New Mexico, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in conducting from the University of South Carolina. He previously served as a high school band director in the public schools of California and is highly active as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor and music arranger for concert and marching bands around the United States.

Dr. Kehl has completed three musical tours abroad, including tours in China and Italy, and served as an Associate Producer on the USC Wind Ensemble’s critically acclaimed “Bernstein: The Transcriptions for Wind Band” for Naxos Records. He maintains an active research agenda in two areas. His primary research focuses on the creation of historically accurate critical editions of wind music from the French Revolution (1789-1799), which will be available from Maxime’s Music (maximesmusic.com) beginning in October, 2018. Dr. Kehl recently presented sessions at the Maryland and New Jersey Music Educators Association State Conventions on his secondary research interest, Laban Movement Analysis and its usage in conducting pedagogy, score study and ensemble rehearsals.

A keen advocate for new music, media integration, creative programming and inter-arts collaboration, some of Dr. Kehl’s recent projects include, “A Little Song and Dance,” a collaboration with the Elon Dance Program, and “Mozart in Popular Culture,” an exploration of the use of Mozart’s “Gran Partita” in television and film. He has worked with such guests artists as Dr. David Constantine from the US “Presidents Own” Marine Band, Dr. Nave Graham, founding member of the All of the Above Ensemble, Lynn and Dr. John Beck, and Elon University President Dr. Leo Lambert. Dr. Kehl is actively involved in bringing new works to life through commissioning and conducting premieres, including works by Donald Grantham, Kevin Walczyk, David Clay Mettens, Carter Pann, Adrienne Albert, Todd Coleman, Ted King-Smith, David Kirkland Garner, Nick Omiccioli, and Aaron Perrine.

Dr. Kehl holds memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, and NAfME.