Joe Figliolo, Assistant Director of Bands

Inspiring students and fostering the next generation of musicians.

Joe Figliolo is the Assistant Director of Bands at Asheville High School where he conducts the Symphony Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Winds, Jazz Ensemble I, and co-directs the Asheville Marching Cougars.

Mr. Figliolo holds a Bachelor of Music degree - with a concentration in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as a Master of Music Performance - Instrumental Conducting from Appalachian State University.

As a graduate student, he worked extensively with the Appalachian Bands. He guest conducted numerous ensembles, including the Appalachian Wind Ensemble and Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, in addition to serving as one of the music directors and primary conductors for the Appalachian Concert Band.

While finishing his conducting studies, he was selected as the alternate for the United States Air Force Band Diversity Fellowship in 2024 for his conducting performance. In November 2024, he was selected to present a clinic on Student Teaching at the North Carolina Music Educators Association Conference alongside his mentor teacher.

He was awarded the “Earl Slocum Band Award” in 2022 for “meritorious achievement with regard to musicianship, leadership, and academic excellence” for his contributions to the UNC Music Department.

Since his arrival at Asheville High School, Mr. Figliolo has continued to promote growth and seen excellence in all 170 students he teaches. He has received multiple Superior Ratings at MPA and guest conducted the Asheville Wind Symphony during their performance at the North Carolina Music Educators Conference in November 2025. He is currently working towards the Asheville Symphonic Winds performance at the prestigious Percy Grainger Wind Band Festival in March 2027.

Currently, he serves as the Jazz Representative for the Western District. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educator Association, the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Pi Kappa Lambda Honors Society as well as an Honorary Brother of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and a Sigma Alpha Iota Friend of the Arts.

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