Leadership Lessons from HS Parking Lot Duty | Dean Westman & Matt Harloff | TEDxAvon High School

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Through years of experience in their respective musical fields, world-renowned music directors Dean Westman and Matt Harloff have also spent those years on high school parking lot duty together – next to a dumpster. They share the incredible lessons they’ve learned through the process. Dean Westman is the Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of Orchestras at Avon High School. He founded the Avon Orchestra program in 2007 with 38 6th grade beginners. Now in its 19th year, the Avon Orchestra has grown to over 1,000 students grades 6-12. Mr. Westman also serves as a Program Designer for the 5-time Bands of America Grand National Champion and 17 Time Indiana State Champion AHS MB&G. In 2002, Dean was named the Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year by the Texas Bandmaster’s Association. He has taught the Tenrikyo Aimaichi Marching Band from Nagoya, Japan, and has served on the teaching staff for the Bands of America Rose Parade Honor Band of America. Dean continues to guest conduct and present clinics throughout the United States and Japan. Westman currently serves as Senior Education Advisor & Designer for the 2016 and 2024 Drum Corps International World Champion Bluecoats from Canton, Ohio. Westman was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame in 2018. Matt Harloff concludes a remarkable 30-year career at Avon High School, serving 27 years as Assistant Band Director before becoming Director of Bands from 2023–2026. During his tenure, the Avon Band Program earned numerous state, national, and world honors. As director of Avon Indoor Winds, Matt led the group to eight IPA State Championships and six WGI Scholastic World Class Championships. Matt helped the AHS MB&G win 18 state titles and six Grand National Championships. Between 2007 and 2025, the Avon Marching Band maintained an extraordinary 18-year streak of top-three finishes at the Bands of America Grand National Finals. In 2003, Matt became Brass Caption Head for the Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps, helping build Crown BRASS into one of the nation’s elite programs. Carolina Crown is a consistent DCI World Class Finalist and celebrated their first ever DCI World Class World Championship in 2013. Matt was inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in 2025. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx