1st Year as Band Director
Hometown: Minneapolis, Kansas
College(s): Marymount College/Kansas Wesleyan University/Wichita State University/Kansas State University
Dr. David Wiggins enters his first year overseeing and leading the band at Dodge City CC, taking over the program in July of 2025.
Wiggins is a dynamic educator, conductor, and arts advocate whose energy and motivational leadership have been the foundation of numerous successful programs and ensembles. His bands and musical groups have been featured in performances of commissioned works and showcased at a variety of esteemed events, including the State Technology Fair, The Boeing Effective Schools Success Showcase, the MACE Conference, and conventions for the Kansas Bandmasters Association and Kansas Music Educators Association.
He earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University in 2013. As part of his doctoral work, he partnered with the university to establish several arts initiatives in Marshall County, including the Marshall County Arts Cooperative, the Marshall County Educational Artist Series, and the Marshall County Community Band. He holds a Master of Music Education with an emphasis in wind band conducting from Wichita State University (2002), a Bachelor of Music Education from Kansas Wesleyan University (1994), and a Bachelor of Arts from Marymount College (1988).
In recognition of his contributions to music education, Dr. Wiggins was named Kansas Outstanding Young Bandmaster by the Kansas Bandmasters Association and Phi Beta Mu in 1998. As a performer, clinician, and arranger, he has traveled extensively, performing throughout the United States, Europe, Mexico, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. In 2012, he was inducted into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame alongside songwriter and singer Mark Selby. Currently, Dr. Wiggins is an active member of the Kansas Bandmasters Association, Kansas Music Educators Association, the Kansas Ambassadors of Music European Staff, and Phi Beta Mu. His professional accomplishments reflect a deep commitment to excellence in music education and community engagement.
Throughout his career, Dr. Wiggins has served as director of bands at numerous schools across Kansas, including Rural Vista, Lincoln, Paola, Wichita East, Marysville, Ellsworth, Maur Hill-Mount Academy, and Southern Cloud High Schools and Coffeyville Community College.
In addition to his work in education, Dr. Wiggins has held leadership roles in a variety of arts-based nonprofit organizations. He has served as executive director of the Salina Symphony, the Bud Finch Memorial Artist Series, TLTN Access Television, Smoky Valley Youth for Christ, Rhythm in Blue, the Big Drum Foundation, and Rural Arts Partners (RAP), through which he has developed valuable resources and opportunities for students in rural communities.
