Sean Bradley, EdD

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. -Philippians 2:3-4

• Expertise
  My expertise comes from 20+ years of experience in the music field both as an individual performer and as an ensemble director. As a director, I am skilled at developing, improving, and establishing successful wind band programs at all educational levels. I have developed a reputation as a successful arranger and drill writer for marching bands. Finally, I have been a clarinetist/woodwind specialist for many orchestras, wind bands, and musical theater companies.
• Research Interests
  My primary research interests focus on how to help young and inexperienced music educators achieve early career success that leads to longevity in the field. I believe that a successful music educator can drastically change a student's entire life for the better and my job is to prepare NGU students to use their God given talents to create a source of good for students in the classrooms that they teach.
• Teaching & Education

  Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
  University of Phoenix
  Phoenix, AZ
  2018

  Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting
  Eastern Kentucky University
  Richmond, KY
  2003

  Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance and Music Education
  Capital University
  Bexley, OH
  2002, 2005

• Professional Experience

  As an educator, I have been fortunate to have a large variety of experiences. I have created college, high school, and home school band programs from scratch. My ensembles have earned superior performance ratings and top placements in OMEA, OIPA, FMEA, BOA, and WGI events and many of my students were selected as all-state players, became college music students, and are now teaching all over the world! As an instrumentalist, I have had the opportunity to work with many great organizations including, but not limited to, the Central Ohio Symphony, Southeastern Ohio Symphony, Capital/Bexley Orchestra, Heisey Wind Band, and Weathervane Playhouse. One of the most memorable experiences was playing on a grammy nominated album featuring the Boston Brass! Finally, as an arranger, I have had the privilege to arrange music and write marching band shows for many schools over the last 20 years. It has been an honor to work with those educators and their students to watch the programs grow, experience success, and create a brighter future in music education.

• Selected Awards Received

  Bonita Springs High School Teacher of the Year 2022-2023
  Lee County Golden Apple, Nominated Five-time nominee (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  Youth Leadership Council of Licking County Teacher of the Year, 2018
  Ohio Indoor Performance Association Director of the Year, 2016
  Coughlin Automotive “You Make A Difference” Award Teacher of the Year, 2015
  Highly Effective Teacher Evaluation 2012 – 2024

• My Story

  My story is a story of God’s ability to find the prodigal, restore them, and use their story to help others. Early life for me was troublesome at best. I had a way to find trouble and many times, went looking for it. I was blessed to have a mentor in my high school band director who thought that I could become something. He helped me grow by using this gift of music that I loved as the “hook” to continue to come back and listen to the lectures on my behavior choices. He recommended that I go away to a college where I would have no friends and that I should “start over.” God in his infinite wisdom allowed me to meet some wonderful people there including a beautiful young lady. What I didn’t realize, is that her dad would change my life. It was through him that I learned who Jesus was, what it meant to be a Godly man, and how to live my life in a way that reflects the Father’s love for us. He quite literally, with the help of the Holy Spirit, restored me and helped me to realize the great responsibility and gifts that I had to be used for God. I was supposed to be a teacher and help kids who were lost like me find their way back, discover their purpose, and become a source of light in our world. I could not have done any of that without the most amazing wife and partner that a guy could ever ask for! My wife Abigail and I have been married since 2002 and we have 7 children, 1 son-in-law, and 2 grandchildren. We are so thrilled to be a part of the NGU family and can’t wait to see what God has planned in our lives here!!!