Welcome to NWSA band department

Ms. Ashleigh Cook serves as the band director at Northwest School of the Arts.  Ms. Cook earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education from Western Carolina University where she graduated with honors.  Prior to her appointment at Northwest School of the Arts (Fall 2021), she served as the Assistant Band Director at Porter Ridge High and Middle Schools for three years, and as the Band and Chorus Director at Cherryville High School for seven years. Both Porter Ridge and Cherryville Bands regularly earned excellent and superior ratings at MPA, marching contests, and solo & ensemble. Mrs . Cook's students are regularly seated in county, district and state honor bands.

While at Cherryville, Ms. Cook was awarded Kia Outstanding Educator of the Year, Teacher of the Year, Band Director of the Year for Gaston County Schools, and the Young Band Director of Excellence Award for the South Central District Bandmaster's Association.  In 2018, Ms. Cook earned her National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards in Music and she is currently pursuing a master's degree in music education through Was Carolina University.  She has served as an honor band clinician, and site host for Solo & Ensemble MPA and All District Auditions for the South Central Bandmasters Association where she also serves on the board.

Ms. Cook's professional memberships include National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Women Band Directors International (WBDI), American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA), North Carolina Music Education Association (NCMEA), and South Central District Bandmasters Association (SCDBA).