WMS Music Directors

Kieran Harrison has served as the band director at Washington Middle School since 2024. Inspired by the teachers who shaped his own experiences as a young musician, he knew early on that he wanted to pursue a career in music education. He studied Music Education at the University of Miami, with an emphasis in classical saxophone.

Over the past 10 years, Mr. Harrison has taught band, jazz band, orchestra, choir, musical theater, elementary music, and modern band. Before coming to Washington Middle School, he directed music programs at Vista PEAK Exploratory K–8 in Aurora, Colorado and Oak Grove Middle School in Clearwater, Florida. He is passionate about creating an inclusive and engaging band program where students can grow as musicians, build confidence, and experience the joy of making music together.

Joseph To

Joseph To is an award-winning conductor and highly accomplished music director who works with several prominent music organizations across the Pacific Northwest, including the Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle, the Magnolia Chorale in Seattle, and the Bainbridge Chorale. He also serves as an orchestra teacher at Washington Middle School in Seattle Public Schools. Holding a master’s degree in conducting and a bachelor’s degree in music education, Joseph brings a deep passion for world music, which informs his artistic vision and leadership.

Joseph has conducted extensive research and delivered engaging presentations on Mandarin and Cantonese choral music, as well as Southeast Asian choral traditions. His work thoughtfully integrates ethnomusicology into secondary music education, helping students and audiences connect with diverse cultural perspectives through music.

In addition to his teaching and conducting roles, Joseph serves as the World Music and Culture Repertoire and Resources Chair for the Washington chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (WAACDA). In recognition of his impactful contributions to the choral community, he was honored with the “Outstanding Emerging Choral Director” award by WAACDA in 2022.

A dedicated advocate for Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in choral music, Joseph is an active presenter at local and regional conferences, where he shares insights on ethnomusicology and inclusive practices. He also serves as an adjudicator for regional and state competitions. Most recently, he was a panelist for “The Future of Choral Leadership,” an open plenary session at the 2024 Chorus America Conference.