Hailey Francoeur
Hailey Francoeur is an education professional, instructional designer, and project manager with six years of experience dedicated to music education, arts administration, and student development. From a young age, she knew teaching was her calling, with music playing a central role in shaping her personal and professional path. While pursuing her college studies, the natural progression toward becoming a band director allowed her to combine her passion for education with her love of performance. As her career evolved, she discovered that the role extended beyond teaching and musicianship to include significant administrative responsibilities such as scheduling, budgeting, and program coordination, which ultimately expanded her interest in operations and logistics management.
Currently serving as Band Director at Sanford High School, Hailey leads a comprehensive instrumental music program for grades 9–12, teaching multiple classes including concert band, wind ensemble, and jazz band, along with overseeing seasonal extracurricular ensembles. She designs engaging curriculum that promotes musicianship, personal growth, and real-world connections to music while fostering student confidence and artistic achievement. In addition to her daily teaching responsibilities, she also contributes to strategic planning for the upcoming season and participates in meetings and communications supporting her work with the Boston Crusaders. In her role as Tour Manager with the Boston Crusaders, she coordinates travel logistics, housing, scheduling, and operational planning for large touring ensembles, helping ensure that performances, rehearsals, and daily activities run smoothly across multiple cities and events.
Throughout her career, Hailey has remained focused on building meaningful connections through education and the arts. She is passionate about helping students connect music to their personal interests and future goals while also using her administrative and project management skills to support large-scale arts operations. Her academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Conducting from the University of Southern Maine, complemented by a K–12 Music Education certification in the State of Maine. Through her work in education and performing arts administration, Hailey continues to inspire students, support performing arts communities, and create opportunities that make music education and performance experiences accessible and impactful.
• Teacher Of Music Comprehensive K-12
• Southern New Hampshire University - BA, Music Pedagogy
• University of Southern Maine - MM
• 2024 Maine Music Educators Association New Music Educator of the Year Award
• Maine Band Directors Association (Vice President)
• Silent Command (Head of Community Relations)
• Silent Command - providing access to marching arts for students with additional needs
What do you attribute your success to?
I think my confidence in what I do is a big part of it. I think it's easy to go with the flow of the people around you and kind of just float along, but I think it's really important that if you're passionate about something, to speak up and make sure that your voice is heard, and that you're advocating for your students or whatever it may be. Sometimes that can be a little uncomfortable, but sometimes it's necessary, and it works out well. I spent the first couple years of my career trying to fit into the norm around me and making sure that I wasn't too outspoken, but I think sometimes that's needed for change. I've learned to trust myself and speak up when I feel that it's right, especially in my field where it can be even more difficult when you're a woman.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Haley credits her high school band director Kyle Smith and Jack Kaplan from the Boston Crusaders as influential mentors who helped shape her growth as an educator and leader in the marching arts community.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say absolutely trust yourself. I think I spent the first couple years of my career trying to fit into the norm around me and making sure that I wasn't too outspoken, but I think sometimes that's needed for change, and I think sometimes, especially in my field, it can be even more difficult when you're a woman. So, trusting yourself and speaking up when you feel that it's right is so important.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think just continuing to make sure that the arts are highlighted in whatever aspect it may be, whether it's education or in the public eye, and just making sure that students have an equitable access to the arts. Your confidence in what you do is a big part of it. I think it's easy to go with the flow of the people around you and kind of just float along, but I think it's really important that if you're passionate about something, to speak up and make sure that your voice is heard, and that you're advocating for your students or whatever it may be. Sometimes that can be a little uncomfortable, but sometimes it's necessary, and it works out well.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Passion is one of them, integrity is another, and also probably just purpose of what you're doing. What are you trying to serve? What's the purpose, and what's your goal? I think it's really important that if you're passionate about something, to speak up and make sure that your voice is heard, and that you're advocating for your students or whatever it may be. I also believe in making sure that students have equitable access to the arts, which is why I work with organizations like Silent Command to give access to students with needs in the marching arts.