Dr. Jason Powell - Ed.D., M.Mus., BME.
As the Director of Strings and Choirs at Palm Springs High School, Jason has re-established the PSHS Symphonic Orchestra after a 25-year hiatus and has built the Classical Guitar Ensembles and Orchestral Strings Programs. Palm Springs High is the only High School in the Coachella Valley to have such programs. The various string ensembles perform at numerous private parties, conventions, and workshops including national and multinational events, and have strong ties to the surrounding colleges and universities.
Jason earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in classical guitar with a minor in percussion from the University of Redlands in 2007, his Master's Degree from Boston University in Music Education in 2011, and his Doctorate in Educational Justice and Leadership from the University of Redlands in 2015. In addition to all of these studies, Jason has also completed graduate course work at Florida State, Ohio State, Harmony College, and Chapman University, as well as, specialty studies in string pedagogy, Kodaly Methods, and the California credentialing to teach Music A.P. Theory.
Jason remains an active musician in our community, performing with the Coachella Valley Symphony (violin II), and in the Irish folk/rock band "Plastic Paddy's Midlife O'Crisis". He also performs in the yearly PSHS musicals (The Phantom of the Opera - cello, Beauty and the Beast – cello, Hairspray – guitar, Fiddler on the Roof – violin, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown – conductor, Bye Bye Birdie – producer, and Chicago - Producer, Legally Blonde - Choral Director & Guitar/Mandolin). In addition to these, Jason also serves as an Adjunct Professor with National University, as well as teaches the Beginning Strings Conservatory classes for the Coachella Valley Symphony and Buddy Rodgers Youth Symphony.
Dr. Powell has also had the honor and privilege of world travels under the baton of both music performance and music education. Jason has served as an assistant for the PSHS Spirit of the Sands' performance tours on three separate occasions. South Africa – 2010, England, Wales, & Scotland – 2012, and President Obama's Inaugural Parade in Washington DC – 2012. Jason has also written and directed his own educational music tours: San Francisco – 2013, Germany, Austria, & Czech Republic – 2015, Italy & the Vatican – 2017, Portugal & Spain – 2018, Germany, Austria, & Czech Republic in 2019, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, UK - 2022, Japan - 2024.
Not only is he also a published author "From Terror to Freedom - Empowering the Victim", and "Red-Headed Stepchild" Amazon - https://a.co/d/iArL1eP but he is also the recipient of several awards including Outstanding Teacher at Palm Springs High School (2012 & 2023), an induction in to the C.O.D. Hall of Fame as Alumni of the Year (College of the Desert 2012), and the Rotary-Alumni award for Excellence in Instrumental Performance (2004).
Dr. Powell has not only been nominated for the Grammy School's 2017 "Music Educator Award", but has advanced to the quarterfinals (top 290). He was nominated for "Outstanding Musical Director" by the DTL (Desert Theater League) for his work in the PSHS 2016 production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown".
As the Director of Strings and Choirs at Palm Springs High School, Jason has re-established the PSHS Symphonic Orchestra after a 25-year hiatus and has built the Classical Guitar Ensembles and Orchestral Strings Programs. Palm Springs High is the only High School in the Coachella Valley to have such programs. The various string ensembles perform at numerous private parties, conventions, and workshops including national and multinational events, and have strong ties to the surrounding colleges and universities.
Jason earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in classical guitar with a minor in percussion from the University of Redlands in 2007, his Master's Degree from Boston University in Music Education in 2011, and his Doctorate in Educational Justice and Leadership from the University of Redlands in 2015. In addition to all of these studies, Jason has also completed graduate course work at Florida State, Ohio State, Harmony College, and Chapman University, as well as, specialty studies in string pedagogy, Kodaly Methods, and the California credentialing to teach Music A.P. Theory.
Jason remains an active musician in our community, performing with the Coachella Valley Symphony (violin II), and in the Irish folk/rock band "Plastic Paddy's Midlife O'Crisis". He also performs in the yearly PSHS musicals (The Phantom of the Opera - cello, Beauty and the Beast – cello, Hairspray – guitar, Fiddler on the Roof – violin, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown – conductor, Bye Bye Birdie – producer, and Chicago - Producer, Legally Blonde - Choral Director & Guitar/Mandolin). In addition to these, Jason also serves as an Adjunct Professor with National University, as well as teaches the Beginning Strings Conservatory classes for the Coachella Valley Symphony and Buddy Rodgers Youth Symphony.
Dr. Powell has also had the honor and privilege of world travels under the baton of both music performance and music education. Jason has served as an assistant for the PSHS Spirit of the Sands' performance tours on three separate occasions. South Africa – 2010, England, Wales, & Scotland – 2012, and President Obama's Inaugural Parade in Washington DC – 2012. Jason has also written and directed his own educational music tours: San Francisco – 2013, Germany, Austria, & Czech Republic – 2015, Italy & the Vatican – 2017, Portugal & Spain – 2018, Germany, Austria, & Czech Republic in 2019, Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, UK - 2022, Japan - 2024.
Not only is he also a published author "From Terror to Freedom - Empowering the Victim", and "Red-Headed Stepchild" Amazon - https://a.co/d/iArL1eP but he is also the recipient of several awards including Outstanding Teacher at Palm Springs High School (2012 & 2023), an induction in to the C.O.D. Hall of Fame as Alumni of the Year (College of the Desert 2012), and the Rotary-Alumni award for Excellence in Instrumental Performance (2004).
Dr. Powell has not only been nominated for the Grammy School's 2017 "Music Educator Award", but has advanced to the quarterfinals (top 290). He was nominated for "Outstanding Musical Director" by the DTL (Desert Theater League) for his work in the PSHS 2016 production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown".
