Olivia Dove-Spell 2025 Award of Excellence Recipient

Olivia D. Spell is currently the Director of Bands and Ensembles at Corinth Holders High School in Wendell, North Carolina. A 2009 graduate of East Carolina University, she received the Outstanding Senior Music Education Award. After graduation, Ms. Spell  landed in Franklin County and served as Director of Bands at Cedar Creek Middle School and Franklinton High School. During her two year tenure at CCMS and FHS she experienced exponential growth in both programs, nearly tripling enrollment. Immersing the students in a total music education, Ms. Spell restarted the marching band program, began a Winterguard program, participated in MPA and other festivals around the state.

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Entering her 13th year at Corinth Holders, Ms. Spell oversees the Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, Basketball Pep Band, Jazz Band, Winds, Winterguard and Winter Percussion Ensembles. Growing this program from the ground up has been one of the most rewarding parts of her career! Not only has the program experienced growth under her tenure, but the students and the program have seen a tremendous amount of success. The Marching Band has seen many caption and class awards at NCBA shows across the state. The Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble have attended the NCMPA and received many Excellent and Superior ratings. 

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The Winter Ensembles have been highly successful locally, regionally and nationally. The Corinth Holders Guard are consistent regional finalists and past regional champions, as well as Scholastic A Finalists in 2024. The Corinth Holders Percussion Ensemble is a consistent regional finalist and champion and was promoted by WGI to Concert World Class in 2022. The Corinth Holders Winds are also consistent regional finalists and champions. They were the WGI Scholastic A World Champions in 2022 and are enjoying exploring new heights in Open class. Corinth Holders is one of the few schools to compete in WGI in all three divisions. 

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The students of the Corinth Holders Band program are also actively selected to participate in the JCPS All County Honors Band, SEDBA All District Honors Band and NCBA All State Honors Band, North Carolina Honors Orchestra as well as the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, Army All American Marching Band and the NAfME All National Concert Band. 

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In addition to her role as Director of Bands, Ms. Spell has served as Fine Arts Department Chair and School Improvement Team member at Corinth Holders. She currently serves as the JCPS High School Band Liaison, Southeastern District Bandmaster Association President, NCBA Marching Band Committee Chair and NCBA Middle School Honors Band Clinic Chair. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys traveling, shopping and cooking. She also enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan, and their children Robbie and Addie Jo and their dog, London. It is a busy life, but she would not have it any other way!