Lester Turner

Lester (Les) Turner currently serves as the Director of K-12 Arts Education at Durham Public Schools, a position held since August 2023, where leadership is provided for arts programming across 54 schools, promoting high-quality creative experiences for students. Prior experience includes the role of Director of Bands at Cary Academy from August 2018 to July 2023, where Les revitalized the band program and obtained grants to enhance arts instruction. Les has also contributed as a Teacher for Global Classroom with The Fulbright Program and held various music director positions at multiple high schools and middle schools, starting from East Wake High School in 2007. Educational qualifications include a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Educational Leadership and Administration, currently pursuing at Appalachian State University, alongside a Master of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Teacher Education from the same institution and the University of North Carolina Wilmington, respectively.