Bradley Esau

• D.M.A., University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (2026)

Bradley J. Esau, DMA, is a versatile conductor, saxophonist, educator and arranger originally from Central Islip, New York. Dr. Esau serves as the music director and conductor of the University of Dayton Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and also teaches undergraduate conducting. Additionally, he is the music director and conductor of the Springfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, and an adjunct professor of music education at Wright State University.

Dr. Esau recently completed his doctoral studies in Wind Conducting with a cognate in jazz studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), where he was also a NEXT Honors Fellow. At CCM, Dr. Esau was a guest conductor of the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble and Contemporary Chamber Music ensemble. Dr. Esau also directed the University of Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and taught undergraduate conducting courses and lessons.

Before his doctoral studies, Dr. Esau spent a decade teaching middle and high school band, orchestra and choir in Florida and Ohio. While serving as director of bands at Armwood High School, his jazz ensemble was invited to perform at the 2021 Florida Music Educators’ Association (FMEA) Conference. He was also a featured presenter at the 2022 and 2026 FMEA Conferences. Most recently, Dr. Esau was named a Reynolds Conducting Fellow for the 2025 Midwest Clinic and was selected as one of five conductor participants in the 2026 United States Army “Pershing’s Own” Conducting Workshop.

Dr. Esau earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of South Florida and a master’s degree in wind conducting from the University of Georgia. At UGA, he served as a graduate teaching assistant, working closely with the Redcoat Marching Band, concert bands and jazz ensembles.

As a saxophonist, Dr. Esau has over 15 years of private teaching experience, with students earning accolades at the county and state levels and gaining admission to music programs across the country. He remains an active performer and arranger, having contributed to multiple studio albums in the Tampa/Sarasota area.

Dr. Esau is also an in-demand clinician and educator. He has given presentations, clinics and adjudications in Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and North Dakota. Dr. Esau is an adjudicator for the Florida Bandmasters Association. His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Collegiate Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and honorary membership in Kappa Kappa Psi.

• MUS 492 - Symphonic Wind Ensemble
• MUS 240 - Fundamentals of Conducting