More about the Directors

Matthew Cole, Director | Tahoma High School | Chamber Orchestra
​mcole@tahomasd.us
​Mr. Matthew Cole was born in Houston, TX. Mr. Cole completed his Bachelor of Music Education in Instrumental Music from Pacific Lutheran University. He earned a Master of Music and Conducting degree from the American Band College at Sam Houston University, Texas. Mr. Cole achieved his National Board Certification in Instrumental Music in 2010 and recertified in 2018. He has performed and guest conducted multiple ensembles throughout Washington including the North Cascade Concert Band, San Juan Music Educators’ Association HS Honor Band, the Fourth Corner Jazz Ensemble and the Washington Wind Symphony. Mr. Cole is active as an adjudicator for both junior and senior level solo/ensemble and concert ensemble competitions. He has served on staff with the American Band College and is currently on staff with the Western International Honor Bands. He was named a 2020 Grammy Teacher of the Year Quarterfinalist. He taught 9 years in Bellingham, WA. This is currently Mr. Cole’s 17th year teaching instrumental music at Tahoma High School!

Hannah Smith, Director | Maple View Middle School and Summit Trail Middle School
hasmith@tahomasd.us
Mrs. Hannah Smith is the Director of Orchestras at both Maple View Middle School and Summit Trail Middle School, and she is Tahoma's first-ever full-time strings specialist. Before moving to Washington, Mrs. Smith spent 10 years teaching high school orchestra in both Colorado and Texas. Over the years, Mrs. Smith’s students have earned consistent superior ratings at contests, been selected for All-Region and All-State orchestras, and performed at the National Orchestra Festival sponsored by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA).

Mrs. Smith holds a Master of Music degree with an emphasis in conducting from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her primary instrument is violin, and she has been teaching private lessons since 2007. She is also an active member of the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and she has served in various state-level leadership roles. In her spare time, Mrs. Smith enjoys hiking, running, cooking, and being outside. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs.