Augusto Gil
Augusto hails from Blountville, Tennessee, but frequently performs, accompanies, teaches, conducts, and adjudicates throughout the southeastern United States, and has instructed musicians seeking continuing education in several countries throughout Europe and Asia.
Mr. Gil earned his Bachelor of Music and certification in K-12 Music Education with double emphases in voice and piano from Carson-Newman University. In 2018, he earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina, where he studied with Drs. Larry Wyatt and Alicia W. Walker, and is currently a candidate for the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina. His areas of interest, research, and work include choral pedagogy, classroom pedagogy, musical theatre pedagogy, collaborative piano, sacred music, and video game music.
In his four-and-a-half as Choral Director at Meadow Glen Middle School in Lexington, South Carolina, Augusto more than tripled participation in the choral program, established the first cross-disciplinary celebration of Heritage Months in Lexington County schools, and organized and directed many special events for the school and district.
Augusto serves as Assistant Director of Music Ministries at Eastminster Presbyterian Church of Columbia and is the owner and operator of Improving Arts Academy, a private instruction and coaching studio for voice and piano students. He is the Artistic Director for the Sandlapper Singers, which produces several concerts of choral music and collaborations each year to further excellent choral music and music education in the South Carolina Midlands.
Mr. Gil is also active as an employee of the University of South Carolina as the conductor of the USC Youth Choir and as instructor for the special topics course Video Game Music (MUS 113). He enjoys working with students and musicians of all ages, and leads by example in seeking opportunities for collaboration, innovation in music, and excellence in performance.
Augusto previously served as International First Vice President for Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity, but currently serves as an advisory member to the organization’s board. He was the founding Chair of the Board of Directors for the Limited Time Only Chamber Choir in Columbia and currently serves as Treasurer. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, the American Choral Directors Association, and the National Association for Music Educators. He is a contributing author to GIA Publications’ Sacred Music Choral Repertoire: Insights for Conductors.
Mr. Gil currently lives in Blythewood, South Carolina with his husband, John Michael, and their dogs, Rose, Apollo, and Tommy. When not creatively focused on music and performance, Augusto enjoys spending time with his chosen family in South Carolina, playing board games, and traveling.
