Brandon West is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Virginia. He assists in the logistics and rehearsals in all areas of the band program and instructs the drumline.

Originally from North Carolina, Brandon earned his Bachelors's Degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, and his Master's Degree in Percussion Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Brandon’s primary studies were with Dr. Tracy Wiggins (UNCP), Dr. Joseph Van Hassel (UNCP), and Dr. Eric Willie (UNCG).

As an educator, Brandon is passionate about building better bands. He arranges and teaches percussion music for marching bands all over the state of NC, judges and adjudicates in NC and VA, and writes marching band drill. Percussion ensembles under the direction of Brandon have experienced great success as grand champions, AIA championship finalists, CWEA finalists/medalists, BOA Super Regional finalists/medalists, and BOA Grand National contenders. Previously, Brandon served as the marching percussion instructor, percussion arranger, and drill writer for the Elon University Marching Band from 2019-2021. Most recently, Brandon was the Director of Bands at Gravelly Hill Middle School in Orange County.

As a performer and student, Brandon has had the opportunity to work with some of the world’s greatest percussionists. Most notably, Brandon has worked with Michael Burritt, Mark Ford, Nancy Zeltsman, Pius Cheung, Casey Cangelosi, and members of NEXUS. Brandon has performed at the North Carolina Music Educators Association (NCMEA) Convention as a featured performer four times, performed on the focus day showcase at the Percussive Art Society International Convention (PASIC), and was a winning member of the PASIC International Percussion Ensemble Competition with UNCG. Lastly, Brandon was a founding member of the Elon Contemporary Chamber Ensemble that performed new and exciting Pierrot Ensemble music.

Brandon West is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Eta Beta Chapter, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke).