director of bands - austin cilone

Austin Cilone moved to Arizona in 2006 and graduated from Mountain Pointe High School in 2009. Cilone went on to receive both his Undergraduate Degree in Music Education and Masters Degree in Instrumental Conducting from Northern Arizona University. 

Throughout his time at NAU, Cilone maintained principal positions in the schools top ensembles,held consistent placements in the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and won the Northern Arizona Concerto Competition in 2018. While earning his degree, Austin served as the interim director of athletic bands for the University to instruct the college ensembles. 

A true lover of everything education and marching band, Austin Cilone has committed time to Arizona’s premiere DCI group (where he marched), The Academy, as a brass technician from 2015-2020, the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps in 2022, and the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps in 2023. Austin has served brass educator with The Blue Stars since 2024 and is proud to return for another season with this incredible organization. 

Previously, Austin Cilone worked in Mesa teaching at Franklin at Alma Elementary, Johnson Elementary, Pomeroy Elementary, and held the Assistant Band Director position at Dobson High School. Now the band director of Sandra Day O’Connor High School since 2020, Mr. Cilone has maintained the high expectation of the O'Connor Band Program by focusing on building great humans and musicians. The Concert program has received top rankings in their concert festivals and the Marching Band continues to receive top placements in the competitive Arizona circuits and as finalists in Bands of America Arizona Regional competitions. Austin Cilone is also a current performing member of the Tempe Wind Ensemble, Salt River Brass, principal horn for the Arizona Wind Symphony, and maintains small ensemble opportunities and a private lesson studio.