MJ Cotton is currently Director of Bands of Marietta Sixth Grade Academy in Marietta, Georgia and Adjunct Professor of Music at the University of South Carolina in Sumter, South Carolina. Prior to his appointment in Marietta, Mr. Cotton taught in the public schools of Sumter, South Carolina and Wrens, Georgia. The bands under his direction have been praised for their musicality and enthusiasm and have received Superior and Excellent ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation. The Wrens Middle School Contemporary Chamber Ensemble has received superior ratings for its performances.

Mr. Cotton graduated from the University of Georgia in 2000 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and from Central Michigan University in 2003 with a Masters of Music in Music Composition Performance. Mr. Cotton has studied conducting with H. Dwight Satterwhite, John Culvahouse, Yoel Levi, and Carlton Woods; composition with David R. Gillingham and Augusta Reed Thomas; and has worked with the famous tenor Jerry Hadley. He is currently pursuing his Education Specialist’s degree in Instructional Leadership Brain Research at Nova Southeastern University.

Mr. Cotton is published by C. Alan Publications and is frequently commissioned for his works for all age groups. He holds memberships in the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, the Georgia Music Education Association, the South Carolina Music Education Association, the National Band Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity (Kappa Mu chapter of the University of Georgia) and Phi Mu Alpha National Music Fraternity (Nu Pi chapter of the Central Michigan University).

Website: http://www.MJCotton.com