David J. Wiggins

As a Performer, Teacher, Conductor, and Arranger, Dr. David Wiggins has worked throughout the United States, Mexico, The Pacific Islands, Australia, and Europe. His recruiting and motivational skills have become the foundation and catalyst for many successful programs and ensembles. David was born and raised in Central, Kansas. His career spans several decades, beginning with local polka bands and regional headliners, to a 2016 induction into the Kansas Music Hall of Fame with Nashville Singer/Songwriter Mark Selby. In addition to his performances across the Midwest, David has worked with Department of Defense (USO) bands throughout Southern California, the Pacific Isles, and Asia. These experiences have led him to such places as England, France, Austria, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Oaxaca, Mexico, Marshall Islands, Guam, Philippines, Diego Garcia, and Australia.

David attended Marymount College from 1982-88, where he directed and performed in many theatrical shows and productions including work with Mainstage Repertory Theatre (AEA). Dr. Wiggins received his Bachelor of Music Education from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1993. In 1998, the Kansas Bandmasters Association and Phi Beta Mu selected David as Kansas Outstanding Young Bandmaster. In 2001 he became graduate assistant to Dr. Victor Markovich at Wichita University, where he attained a Master of Music Education degree in Wind Band Conducting. In 2008 David established Rural Arts Partners to create rural access to international folk artists. These efforts brought Mexican Wood Carver Jesus Sosa Calvo and Oaxacan Children's group of Banda Filarmónica Infantil y Juvenil San Martín Tilcajete to Kansas.

In 2013, David completed his PhD. in Curriculum and Instruction at Kansas State University, where he studied Wind Band Conducting and Music Education. Throughout his doctoral studies, David worked in cooperation with Dr. Jana R. Fallin, Dr. Frank Tracz, and Kansas State University to create and direct the Marshall County Arts Cooperative, Marshall County Educational Artist Series, and Marshall County Community Band in Marysville, Kansas. The project culminated in his dissertation: Development and perceptions of rural arts experiences: A case study of the Marshall County Arts Cooperative.

Wiggins' studies began with master teacher Dean Kranzler. Since then, he has studied with other music masters such as Dr. Frank Tracz, Dr. Victor Markovich, Dr. Larry Blocher, Dr. Jana R. Fallin, Eric Stein, Mitch Markovich, Dr. J.C. Combs, and Kevin Bobo. David has worked with bands throughout all Kansas State High School Activities Association classifications including bands in Hope/White City (1A), Lincoln (2A), Ellsworth (3A), Marysville (4A), Paola (5A), and Wichita East (6A). David was the Director of Smoky Valley Youth for Christ (1992-1995), Interim Executive Director of the Salina Symphony (2007), Developer of Bud Finch Memorial Artist Series (1995), Developer of Lincoln Public Access Television (1996), and Director of Rhythm in Blue Drumline (1997-98). Dr. Wiggins is a member of the Kansas Bandmasters Association, Kansas Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu, and Lions Clubs International. He currently is Director of Bands at Coffeyville Community College.