Gregg Charest Email and Phone Number

Seasoned Music Educator and Freelance Percussionist who lives and performs in the Southern New England Region. A passionate Middle and High School Band director who has been the Exeter West Greenwich District Teacher of the Year (2011), a Finalist for the RI State Teacher of the Year (2012), and was named to School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference” (December 2012). A mentor to other band directors who seek to increase interest and enrollment in their programs. Perennial innovator in the use of music technology in the concert and jazz band classrooms.Gregg Charest has been the band director for grades 7-12 in Exeter West Greenwich Public Schools for over 20 years. Trained first as a classical percussionist and jazz drum set specialist, he received an undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Rhode Island, and a Master’s in Music Education with a concentration in Conducting from the American Band College of Central Washington University. As a performer, Gregg has been fortunate to share the stage with legendary Tonight Show Bandleader Doc Severinsen, The Canadian Brass, Folk Music icon Pete Seeger, and Youtube sensations Peter and Evynne Hollens, among many others. From 2021 to 2022, Gregg performed on more than 225 dates as the leader of his band, The Island Time Steel Band. The Steel Pan is perhaps his greatest musical obsession, and Gregg enjoys arranging, and composing for steel band when he isn’t performing. Gregg’s recording credits (found on all streaming platforms) on Steel Pan include singles with the Island Time Steel Band, and working with Steel Pannist Aaron Cote, Agent Jay (The Slackers), King Django, and legendary German reggae/ska artist Dr. Ring Ding (who discovered the Island Time Steel Band and featured them on the popular radio show, “Dr. Ring Ding’s Reggae Relay”). As a conductor, Gregg has directed the Rhode Island Junior All State Band (2023), the South Eastern Massachusetts Regional Junior Band (2022), and has also directed groups like the Wakefield Concert Band, and The Jamestown Community Band. Known for his passionate use of technology in the band classroom, Gregg was honored to present at the Western International Band clinic (2021), and has frequently been a guest speaker to future music educators at the University of Rhode Island. Gregg lives in Jamestown, RI with his wife Elizabeth, and children Jack and Juliette.