Mr. Harlan joins Jefferson High School after serving as Band Director at Jennings Middle School in Thonotosassa, Florida, where he led the Concert Band. Prior to that, he was an Elementary Music Teacher at Cypress Creek Elementary in Seffner, Florida.
Mr. Harlan began his teaching career as Director of Bands at Haines City High School, where he led the “Emerald Brigade” Marching Band and the HCHS Concert Band. Under his direction, the Concert Band earned Straight Superior ratings at their District Concert MPA in his second year, advancing to a performance at the State Concert MPA. He later served as Director of Bands at Lake Wales Charter High School, leading both the Marching Band—which earned Straight Superiors at their District Marching MPA—and the Symphonic Band.
Mr. Harlan holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Instrumental Music Education and Music Composition from Valdosta State University. During his time at VSU, he performed with a wide range of ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and the “Blazing Brigade” Marching Band. He was also an inaugural member of the VSU Opera Company as a Vocalist in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute). As a composer, Mr. Harlan premiered original works with several ensembles, including the VSU Trombone Ensemble, Brass Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Brass Quintet, Saxophone Quintet, and Chamber Winds.
Mr. Harlan began his undergraduate studies at Charleston Southern University as a Fine Arts Scholar, performing with the CSU “Marching Bucs,” Jazz Ensemble, Chamber Winds, Saxophone Quartet, and Wind Ensemble, which performed at the South Carolina Music Educator's Conference in the world premiere of Robert W. Smith's "Divine Comedy" Symphony.
Mr. Harlan pursued graduate studies in Instrumental Conducting at the University of South Florida, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the “Herd of Thunder” Marching Band. At USF, he performed with the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Chamber Singers. He also assisted in teaching Basic Conducting to undergraduate students.
An accomplished oboist, saxophonist, and vocalist, Mr. Harlan has performed across the Eastern, Southern, and Midwestern United States. He has appeared as a featured church soloist in various states, performed at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, and played with ensembles such as the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, and Hollingsworth Winds. He has also served as a guest conductor with the Hollingsworth Winds, The University of North Texas Wind Symphony, the USF Symphony Orchestra, as well as the USF Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band, and has worked as a guest clinician and conductor with several high school band programs throughout the Southern United States.
Mr. Harlan's conducting mentors include Dr. Joseph Brashier, and Dr. William Wiedrich. He has studied instrumental music under Jay Watkins, Susan Eischeid, Mark Gainer, Elizabeth Tomorsky, and Daniel Stolper, as well as Music Composition with Dr. Tayloe Harding, Dr. John Francis, and Dr. Michael Sydney Timpson.
Mr. Harlan currently resides in the Tampa Bay Florida area and is happily married to his wife Angela and is the proud father of two sons, Blake, and Sean Jr.
