A native of Ashe County, North Carolina, James G. Daugherty has most recently served as the Arts Education and a Digital Learning Specialist for the Davidson County (NC) Schools and is the Director of Cannon Music Camp at Appalachian State University. Prior to these appointments in 2015, he served for twenty-one years as band director and instructor of music theory at Central Davidson High School in Lexington, NC, assisting daily with the band instruction at Central Davidson Middle School. In 2024 he completed his thirty-fourth summer on the faculty/staff of Cannon Music Camp, previously having served as a Dean of Camp for twenty years.
In his role with Davidson County Schools, he was responsible for assisting the Assistant Superintendent in developing and implementing all aspects of K-12 arts education. He also partnered with the Director of Federal Programs in the budgeting, implementation, and assessment of funds applicable to support a well-rounded arts education as prescribed by ESSA, specifically funding through Title IV-A. While teaching at Central Davidson his bands consistently earned ratings of excellent and superior at regional, state and national music festivals. In 1996 and 2013, he was named “Teacher of the Year” at Central Davidson High School and in 1997 for Davidson County Schools, a top three finalist for Davidson County Schools “Teacher of the Year” again in 2013.
In January 1998 he received the distinguished “Outstanding Young Educator” from the Lexington Jaycees and in April 2006 was nominated for a “Young Alumnus Award” from Appalachian. In July 2019, Mr. Daugherty was inducted into the prestigious Rhododendron Society in the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University. As the highest honor given by the college, the award honors alumni for their exemplary service to education and to their communities. The society recognizes graduates whose service as teachers, librarians, human service professionals or administrators has reflected credit on themselves, the field of education, and the university.
Daugherty was named “Outstanding Alumni of the Year” in July 2024 by the Hayes School of Music at Appalachian State University. The Appalachian Alumni Association annually recognizes graduates who have made a lasting impact on society and the university through their outstanding professional, philanthropic and volunteer accomplishments. College-level awardees are honored for their accomplishments in their respective fields, as well as for their continued service and engagement with the university community.
His educational background includes a bachelor’s (1993) and master’s (1994) in music education from Appalachian State University with additional certification in Education Leadership/School Administration from High Point University (2010). Mr. Daugherty holds professional memberships in the American School Band Director’s Association, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Bandmasters Association, North Carolina Association of Educators, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Pi Kappa Lambda, Kappa Delta Pi, and Phi Eta Sigma.
Daugherty currently serves as Immediate Past President for the Southern Division of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) representing eleven state music education associations within the Division (2024-2026). From 2015-2017 he served as President of the North Carolina Music Educators Association and is also a Past-President of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association (2012-2014). He was featured in the February 2009 edition of Teaching Music in an article entitled “Accentuate the Positive” and was also listed in December 2009 as one of “50 Directors Who Make A Difference” in School Band and Orchestra Magazine. Daugherty was the 2022 recipient of the “Pat Hall Music Educator Advocate Award” from the North Carolina Music Educators Association. In addition to his other responsibilities, he continues to adjudicate bands and guest conduct when invited to serve.
Growing up in a small, mountain community, he is the first of his family to achieve a four-year degree. Mr. Daugherty completed his thirtieth year in service to education during the 2023-2024 academic year. Active in the Lexington community, Daugherty is a member of Coggins Memorial Baptist Church and sings in the sanctuary choir when possible, having also served as the choir’s interim music director. He is the proud Dog Dad of “Tippy” a four-year old Bichon Frise.