Eliza Taylor is the Director of Athletic Bands at West Virginia Wesleyan College. She is currently living in Elkins, West Virginia with her husband, Seth Blake ‘17, a fellow music educator. Eliza is primarily a flutist, but is also an accomplished conductor, singer, pianist, and trombonist. Well-versed in classical, jazz, and Latin styles, she has performed and collaborated with a variety of individuals and ensembles. 

Eliza holds a Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from West Virginia Wesleyan College, and a Master of Music (MM) in Flute Performance with graduate certificates in Instrumental Conducting and Music Administration from The Ohio University School of Music. She is a member of Women Band Directors International, NAfME, WVMEA, West Virginia Bandmasters, Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, and Pi Kappa Lambda honor society for music.

Ms. Taylor is a formidable director and conductor. Prior to her appointment as Director of Athletic Bands, she has directed bands at the middle school and high school level in North Central West Virginia. Her ensembles have most frequently achieved Superior “I” ratings and have also premiered works at West Virginia ratings festivals. As a conductor, she is known for her expressive gestures and stylistic clarity. Eliza studied wind band conducting at Ohio University under Dr. William Talley. 

As a student, Eliza was a member of a variety of ensembles at West Virginia Wesleyan College, including the inaugural years of the Bobcat Marching Band, Concert Band, WVWC Big Band, choral ensembles and jazz combos. She was also the lead vocalist and flutist for the Afro-Cuban Ensemble and the assistant director of the Flute Ensemble during her time as a student. As a member of the class of 2019, she graduated magna cum laude and received the outstanding music department senior award and the Academic and Leadership Achievement Award. 

​Eliza also has experience as a church musician and chorister. 

Eliza has studied flute with Dr. Keith Hanlon, Linda Wolfersheim, and Alison Brown Sincoff. 

Adam Loudin
Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Ensembles

Adam Loudin is a dedicated music educator, conductor, and performer with over 15 years of experience inspiring young musicians in West Virginia and beyond. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from West Virginia Wesleyan College (2007) and a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music (2009), where he studied trumpet with Joey Tartell and served as a graduate assistant to renowned jazz educator David Baker.

After completing his graduate studies, Adam returned to his home state to teach band and choir at Robert L. Bland Middle School in Weston. Under his leadership, both ensembles were repeatedly recognized as West Virginia Music Educators Association (WVMEA) State Middle School Honor Ensembles. His commitment to excellence in music education earned him the title of Teacher of the Year twice during his 15-year tenure in Lewis County. In 2016, Adam was honored with the West Virginia Wesleyan College Young Alumni Achievement Award.

In addition to his work in public education, Adam served as Artistic Director of the Chanticleer Children’s Chorus of West Virginia in 2015. He also contributed to higher education as an adjunct professor at WVWC for over a decade, where he taught secondary music education methods, brass methods, and applied lessons. A sought-after clinician, Adam has conducted honor choirs and bands throughout the state.

As a performer, Adam has remained active in both jazz and classical music. He has played jazz extensively throughout West Virginia and surrounding states and spent more than 10 years as a member of the West Virginia Brass Quintet.

In 2024, Loudin was honored nationally by School Band and Orchestra Plus (SBO+) magazine as one of the “50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference,” highlighting his significant contributions to music education. 

Adam and his wife, Katie—a fellow WVWC graduate, former Director of Community Engagement for WVWC, and current Director of Strategic Development for the WV Community Development Hub—live in Buckhannon with their two sons, Thomas and Elliot, who share their parents’ love for music.