Our Directors

Mr. Halat is the Director of Bands at Hightstown High School. Mr. Halat's primary responsibilities include directing the HHS Marching Band, conducting the Wind Ensemble and assisting with Concert Band and Jazz Band. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Halat served as the Director of Bands at Lenape Valley Regional High School and Avon Grove High school.

Mr. Halat earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music Education Degree from Boston University. While at West Chester University, Mr. Halat was given a great opportunity to work with various Washington D.C. and Philadelphia jazz artists, as well as teach at local high school marching bands. Mr. Halat worked closely with the following jazz artists: Matt Gallagher, Matt Niess, Steve Fidyk and Greg Riley. In addition to his studies, Mr. Halat currently arranges music for the Berwick Area High School and Hightstown High School Marching Bands and acts as a jazz adjudicator in the state of New Jersey.

Mr. Halat is an active member of NafME (National Association of Music Education) and NJMEA (New Jersey Music Educators Association). Mr. Halat is looking forward to continuing the successes of the Hightstown High School Band program.

Kristina O'Dea
[email protected]

Ms. O'Dea is the Assistant Marching Band Director, Director of the Concert Band and assists with the Wind Ensemble at Hightstown High School.

Ms. O'Dea holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Studies and a Masters of Art in Teaching from University of the Arts. During her time at University of the Arts, Ms. O'Dea studied with Tony Miceli, Behn Gillece, Jeff Kern, Matt Gallagher, Beth Sokolowski and Evan Solot. She performed regularly in the Philadelphia and Tri-State while working as the front ensemble instructor and arranger for a high school marching band. Ms. O'Dea was a member of the percussion section for the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey performing Mahler's Symphony No. 1, Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, Rimsky Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture, and Tchaikovsky's March Slave.

Ms. O'Dea is an accomplished front ensemble arranger, having written several State and National Championship books for high school marching bands in New Jersey.