We are excited to announce that Maestro Dr. Wesley DeSpain represents Music Youth Partnership as Mentor/Educator at Hamilton Middle School in Orchestra.
Maestro Dr. Wesley DeSpain is a highly accomplished American conductor, educator, and former musician, known for his work in orchestral music and community arts leadership.
Professional Roles
Dr. DeSpain has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Delano Chamber Orchestra since 2011, and as Director of Orchestras for the Derby Public School District, where he teaches high school, middle school, and elementary orchestras. He is also Director of Music at MorningStar Community Church in east Wichita. Earlier, he was Music Director and Conductor of the Friends University Community Orchestra from 2010–2014. He has also conducted the Repertory Youth Orchestra for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra from 2014–2022.
Education
DeSpain holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in orchestral conducting from the University of Oklahoma (2010), a Master of Music in wind band and orchestral conducting and a Master of Music Education from Wichita State University (2007, 1984), and a Bachelor of Music Education from Wichita State University (1983). He also earned a Bachelor of Arts from Baptist Bible College (1982).
Musical Career
He was the E-flat clarinetist of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra from 1984–2009, performing major works by composers such as Shostakovich, Mahler, Richard Strauss, and Ravel www.thedelanochamberplayers.org+1. He also served as Interim Director of Orchestras at Wichita State University from 2004–2006.
Professional Experience
His conducting career includes work with the OU Civic Orchestra and OU Symphony as a graduate assistant, and he has conducted the KMEA All-State Orchestra LinkedIn. He has studied conducting with notable figures such as Jay Decker, Michael Haithcock, Victor Markovich, Michael Palmer, and Jonathan Shames.
Community & Personal Life
DeSpain has been a dedicated educator and community leader, influencing generations of young musicians. He is married to Darla, with whom he has three daughters and three grandsons.
In summary, Wesley DeSpain is a respected figure in Kansas’s music community, blending decades of performance experience with a strong commitment to teaching, community arts, and leadership in orchestral music