Neil Swapp
Music Department Chair, New Mexico School for the Arts
Neil Swapp is in his twenty eighth year as a music educator in New Mexico where he is currently the chair of the music department at New Mexico School for the Arts. Prior to this position he served as Director of Bands at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces, New Mexico for seventeen years.
Under his leadership, his ensembles have been recognized throughout the state and nation for their superior performance level by winning numerous competitions and festivals including an unprecedented 7 marching State Championships. His Ensembles have also participation in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade as well as international performances in England and China.
He is Past President and former President and Band Vice-President of the New Mexico Music Educators Association (NMMEA) and is also co-founder and president of the Southwest Music Academy, a non-profit organization that provides summer music instruction to hundreds of students in Southern New Mexico.
Mr. Swapp holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from New Mexico State University and a Masters of Music from the St. Louis Conservatory in trumpet performance.