Mr. James Ryan McPhail is a native of Eastover, NC where he
attended Cape Fear High School and graduated in 1990. While at
CFHS Mr. McPhail studied with Dr. Jack Stamp in preparation
for college auditions. He completed his undergraduate in Music
Education at East Carolina University and studied with
percussion instructors Harold Jones and Mark Ford. While at
ECU he developed a love for teaching through his work
instructing drum lines in the Greenville, NC area and Oldham
County Kentucky. Ryan has taught high school and middle
school band in Montgomery County, Cumberland County,
Richmond County, and Harnett County before returning to
Cumberland County and his roots at Mac Williams Middle
School where he assisted Mrs. Felicia MacNaught with the BIG
MAC BAND. He currently serves as the Director of Bands at
Northwoood Temple Academy in Fayetteville, NC. Mr. McPhail’s
children have both been a part of the band at Mac Williams
Middle School and Cape Fear High School. Ryan has also
worked as percussion instructor for the Cape Fear High School
Marching Colts in addition to various other schools in
southeastern NC. Ryan was the recipient of the 2022
Southeastern District BandMaster Association Award of
Excellence. Mr. McPhail hopes his work as director, mentor, and
private instructor has encouraged students to enjoy music for the
rest of their lives.
attended Cape Fear High School and graduated in 1990. While at
CFHS Mr. McPhail studied with Dr. Jack Stamp in preparation
for college auditions. He completed his undergraduate in Music
Education at East Carolina University and studied with
percussion instructors Harold Jones and Mark Ford. While at
ECU he developed a love for teaching through his work
instructing drum lines in the Greenville, NC area and Oldham
County Kentucky. Ryan has taught high school and middle
school band in Montgomery County, Cumberland County,
Richmond County, and Harnett County before returning to
Cumberland County and his roots at Mac Williams Middle
School where he assisted Mrs. Felicia MacNaught with the BIG
MAC BAND. He currently serves as the Director of Bands at
Northwoood Temple Academy in Fayetteville, NC. Mr. McPhail’s
children have both been a part of the band at Mac Williams
Middle School and Cape Fear High School. Ryan has also
worked as percussion instructor for the Cape Fear High School
Marching Colts in addition to various other schools in
southeastern NC. Ryan was the recipient of the 2022
Southeastern District BandMaster Association Award of
Excellence. Mr. McPhail hopes his work as director, mentor, and
private instructor has encouraged students to enjoy music for the
rest of their lives.