Dr. Troy Bennefield is the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Washington State University.  In this capacity he directs the Cougar Marching Band and leads all aspects of the athletic band program.  In addition, Dr. Bennefield conducts the Symphonic Band and assists the Director of Bands in conducting the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, and teaches graduate conducting.  Prior to this appointment, Dr. Bennefield served in the same position at the University of Houston.   

From 2004-2009 Dr. Bennefield served as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Percussion at Alpharetta High School in suburban Atlanta.  In that time the band grew from its inaugural enrollment of 37 members to over 200 students in 3 concert bands, 2 percussion classes, jazz and marching bands, and a full symphonic orchestra.  He has presented clinics on percussion, marching band, and concert literature throughout the southeast, southwest, and northwest, has been published in The Instrumentalist and the Georgia Music News, and his marimba setting of four guitar pieces by Mauro Giuliani was recently published by Keyboard Percussion Publications.  A veteran performer and teacher in DCI and WGI, he continues to clinic, consult, and judge in several capacities in numerous states and still performs professionally when time allows. 

Dr. Bennefield holds a Doctorate in Instrumental Conducting and Masters in Percussion Performance from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Alabama.  Dr. Bennefield is a member of CBDNA, Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Mu Alpha, Kappa Kappa Psi (honorary), Tau Beta Sigma (honorary), and the Percussion Arts Society.  He lives in Pullman with his wife Michelle, daughter Dylan, and their two dogs.