Dr. Anthony Hailey

Though his early musical education was in the realm of orchestral percussion, Dr. Hailey shifted his attention to African and Caribbean music styles during graduate school. Hailey began playing steel drums in 1990 as an undergraduate music student at East Carolina University. This experience led him to West Virginia University where he studied steel drum construction, tunning and arranging with Trinidad's most well known steel drum innovator, Ellie Mannette. After receiving a Master's of Music in 1994, Hailey noticed a growing interest in ethnic and world music among music educators in the U.S. This shift of interest prompted Hailey to pursue his doctorate degree in world percussion from West Virginia University, which he received in May 2005. An active performer in Hampton Roads, Hailey has performed locally with many artists including Ben Vereen, the Girls Choir of Harlem, and Dance Theater of Harlem. Internationally Hailey has studied and performed at the University of Ghana, Legon, competed in the Panorama Steelband Finals in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, and toured South Korea performing at the Seoul International Drum Festival, and the opening ceremony for the 2002 World Cup. Since 1999, he has directed the Virginia Arts Festival's Rhythm Project providing cultural knowledge through performance of music and dance to over 100 students annually.