Christopher Tkacik (b. 1988) (he/him):

Chris Tkacik is the director of bands at Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, NC. He oversees a comprehensive band program that includes 4 concert ensembles, 2 jazz ensembles, and a nationally recognized marching arts program. In 2022, the Ardrey Kell Mighty Knight Band participated in the Bands of America Grand Nationals Competition in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2021, the Ardrey Kell Mighty Knight Band was named a BOA finalist at the East Tennessee State regional competition, where they placed 8th place in music ensemble and 7th place in the individual marching caption. Under his direction, Ardrey Kell has achieved superior ratings at MPA and has had the highest number of students in the school’s history place in district and region honor bands. In 2023, Ardrey Kell High School was named a top 10 school in NC and the top ranked high school in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Mr. Tkacik is a summa cum laude graduate of Appalachian State University, where he studied Instrumental Conducting with Dr. John Ross, Dr. Mélisse Brunet, and Dr. Jason Gardner. In this position, he served as a music director of the Appalachian Concert Band, assisted with instructing the Marching Mountaineers, oversaw the ASU Bands library, and provided administrative support to all aspects of the ASU Bands program. Mr. Tkacik has guest conducted the Appalachian Wind Ensemble, Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, Appalachian Symphony Band and the Appalachian Tuba Euphonium Collective. 

Prior to attending Appalachian State University, Mr. Tkacik served as the director of bands at Greene Central High School in Snow Hill, NC. There, he directed a concert band, percussion ensemble, color guard, and a class 1A marching band. Mr. Tkacik also oversaw the planning and execution of the annual Greene Central Band Day, a North Carolina Bandmasters Association sanctioned competition that hosted up to 30 area bands. He also worked closely with Greene County Middle School to facilitate the success of incoming students.

Mr. Tkacik has previously served as the director of bands, orchestra, and general music at Stokes Elementary School in Stokes, NC. He was responsible for teaching music to grades K-8, including beginning and intermediate middle school band courses, beginning orchestra to 4th and 5th graders, middle grades general music and world music drumming. He also served as a low brass tech at several high school music programs across eastern NC.

Mr. Tkacik earned his bachelor’s degree in music education summa cum laude from East Carolina University in 2012. While attending ECU, he studied tuba with Tom McCaslin and conducting with Dr. Scott Carter and Dr. John Franklin. 

An advocate for music education, Mr. Tkacik is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, North Carolina Music Educators Association, the North Carolina Bandmasters Association, and the National Association for Music Education. He previously served as an advisor for the Appalachian State University chapter of National Band Association. Mr. Tkacik is a brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and an honorary brother of Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity. He is also a member of the Gamma Eta chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Fraternity.