Congratulations to Dean Tayloe Harding, one of this year’s recipients of the South Carolina Governor’s Awards for the Arts in Music Education! The award is the state’s highest recognition for achievement in practicing or supporting the arts. Harding leads by example and inspires students, faculty and staff daily, with his belief in the power of music and the arts to transform communities and individuals.

We asked faculty and staff what Dean Harding’s leadership and recognition mean to them.
Here’s what they had to say:

"Any time I am at national or international music conferences, colleagues at other schools come up to me and say, 'I’m envious that you get to work with Tayloe Harding.' They admire his leadership in redefining what higher education music programs should be teaching our students.  Tayloe has led our School of Music in building a reputation as one of the leading music programs in the country."– Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management, Jennifer Jablonski. 

"Dean Harding has been an outstanding leader. He relates exceptionally well to people, is a good listener, enjoys an exceptionally strong relationship with the upper university  administration, and has presided over a period of substantial growth in faculty and program development and heightened standards. He also encourages faculty in their individual projects. We are very privileged to have him as our dean and gratified at his recent accomplishment." – Professor of Piano Charles Fugo

"Tayloe is acknowledged as a national leader in music education. He is genuinely passionate about preparing students for careers in an industry that is evolving daily. His hope is that our school and other institutions of higher ed will prepare future leaders who are uniquely skilled to serve as advocates for music in the communities where they live and work."  – Professor of Voice and Associate Dean of Administration, Jacob Will.

Carolina recently interviewed Dean Harding about the award, teaching music during the pandemic and a new endeavor for the school. Catch up on the full article here.

Join us tonight at sunset as the university honors Dean Harding's accomplishment by lighting Capstone garnet.