About Ms. Hazelwood

Based in Richmond, Virginia, Cathern Hazelwood is a dynamic choral conductor and educator dedicated to fostering expressive and inclusive musical experiences. With over five years of experience leading large vocal ensembles, she is recognized for her musical sensitivity and collaborative leadership style. Currently, Cathern serves as Choral Director at James River High School, where she conducts daily rehearsals and directs performances spanning classical and contemporary genres. Her commitment to excellence has resulted in consistent superior ratings at VMEA district assessments and earned her the title of Superintendent's All County Sponsor of the Year for 2022-2023.

To further refine her craft and deepen her expertise, Cathern is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Georgia State University. This advanced study builds upon her rigorous academic foundation as a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education with an impressive 3.954 Major GPA. Her performance career includes serving as a Choral Scholar and Conducting Apprentice with Berkshire Choral International, performing major works under the direction of masters like Joe Miller and Tom Hall. She has also contributed her vocal leadership as a Choral Scholar at All Saints Episcopal Church and a Soprano Section Leader at Immanuel Episcopal Church.

Cathern’s influence extends into the broader music education community through several key leadership roles. She serves as the District Chorus Event Chair for the Virginia Music Educators Association (District 3) and the All County Chorus Event Coordinator for Chesterfield County Public Schools, where she manages logistics, budgets, and professional collaborations for guest artists and fellow directors. Deeply committed to the future of the profession, she acts as a Practicum Mentor for aspiring music educators at Virginia Commonwealth University and as a Building Mentor for new teachers within the Chesterfield County induction program.

In recognition of her impactful work, Cathern was honored as the 2023 Outstanding Music Education Young Alumni by the VCU Department of Music. This award highlights her role as an emerging leader who uses innovative and transformative music education to better the individual human condition. Furthermore, her versatility as an educator is evidenced by her background as a private music teacher at Bach to Rock, where she developed personalized curricula and trained new instructors on effective teaching practices. She remains an active member of the National Association for Music Education, the Virginia Choral Directors Association, and the Virginia Music Educators Association.