Conway Bands

Tried something new...Senior DBC Games

Introducing your Conway Band Foundation Director, Nathan Cunningham.

Nathan Cunningham is the Director of Bands for Conway Public Schools and the Head Band Director at Conway High School, his Alma Mater. At Conway, he is the conductor of the Conway High School Wind Symphony, Marching Band, Courtside Cats Pep Band, and Pit Orchestra. He holds a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Arkansas (2014) and a master of music in conducting degree from the University of Central Arkansas (2022).

Mr. Cunningham is a board member of Destination Band Camp and recently served as Chairman of the Arkansas School Band and Orchestra Association’s Region Nine as well as president of the Razorback Band Alumni Society. He is a member of the Phi Beta Mu International Band Fraternity and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi. In 2020, Mr. Cunningham was named the outstanding young band director of the year for the state of Arkansas.

Under Mr. Cunningham’s guidance, the Conway Band Program has seen significant growth, including consistent first division ratings at the ASBOA State Concert Contest and the school’s first ever division I ratings at the ASBOA State Marching Competition. In 2024, the Conway High School Select Wind Ensemble was selected by audition and application to perform at the COSSBA National Conference in Dallas, TX. In 2025 and 2026, the Conway High School Wind Symphony was named the Reserve Honor Ensemble for Class 7A at the ASBOA State Concert Contest.

Mr. Cunningham is a frequent adjudicator, clinician, and presenter across the state. Additionally, he is respected as an audio/video recording specialist, having recorded and produced over 500 performances in the last ten years as the owner of ViaMedia Professional Recordings, LLC.

As a third generation band director, Mr. Cunningham is proud to follow the footsteps of his grandfather and parents. He owes all of his success to his teachers and mentors: Tim and Jan Cunningham, Russell Langston, Richard Rulli, Chris Knighten, Dale Warren, and Ricky Brooks.

Mr. Cunningham fills his time away from school with family, fishing, gardening, and grilling. He and his wife, Taylor, have 2 children, Lynnley and Luke.

DBC Junior Week is FINISHED!! So proud of all these young musicians!!

It’s the final lights out for DBC Junior Camp 2026!! Tomorrow we get to experience all they have learned, hear all the stories, and welcome home our campers!! Next up, Senior Camp BEGINS!!

Introducing your Conway Band Foundation Board President, Ashley Lyon.

Originally from Texas, Ashley and her family have called Conway home for nearly 20 years. A wife, mother, and new grandmother, she has become deeply connected to the community and passionate in her volunteerism in a variety of organizations. In addition to her work with Conway Bands, she has served on various PTO boards at her children’s schools and is currently a trustee at her church.

Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Advertising with a minor in Marketing from Sam Houston State University and a Master of Education in Higher Education with a Student Affairs emphasis from the University of North Texas. She works as a local Realtor and enjoys helping others.

Ashley has always loved music and was a choir girl at school and church for all of her childhood. Her two younger children share her love of music and have jumped into all things band playing the clarinet, bass clarinet, bari saxophone and even flute. When Ashley has downtime, she indulges in reading and gardening, you will find her snuggled up with her kindle or in the yard!

Introducing your Conway Band Foundation Board Vice President, Kirsten Kravitz.

As a graduate of Conway High School, Kirsten has deep Conway roots. After completing undergraduate studies at Anderson University and graduate school at Vanderbilt University, she returned home to Arkansas. She works at The Children’s Clinic of Conway as an advanced practice nurse with a special area of interest in developmental and behavioral pediatrics. Along with her husband, Ryan, they have three children.

Despite having no musical talent, Kirsten has somehow found herself living with 3 gifted percussionists. As a result, music and band have become a large part of her family’s life over the last decade.

She is an active member of the Faulkner County Saddle Club. She is also a founder of Compass Academy and currently serves as president of the board. New Life Church is where she and her family love to worship and serve.

In her free time, you’ll probably find her watching Seinfeld reruns and trying to perfect her chocolate chip cookie recipe.

Introducing your Conway Band Foundation Board Treasurer, Anita Self.

Anita Self has devoted her life to music, education, and serving others. For the past 13 years, she has served as the Bookkeeper for the Conway Public Schools Music Department, supporting secondary school band, choir, orchestra, and musical programs. With a total of 28 years in education, Anita sees her work not simply as a job, but as a calling—one that has allowed her to be a supportive and encouraging role model to countless students over the years. She plans to continue serving for the next several years, investing in the lives of young people through her dedication and care.

A 1980 graduate of Marion High School, Anita’s love for music began early as she played flute from sixth through twelfth grade and performed on color guard throughout her high school marching band years. She continued her musical journey at the University of Central Arkansas, where she majored in Business Administration and performed on color guard in the UCA Band.

It was at UCA that Anita met her husband, Truman, and the two married in 1982, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in music education. Throughout Truman’s 31-year career as a high school and junior high band director, Anita worked faithfully alongside him, teaching color guard and helping shape the lives of countless students. Together, they raised their two children, Andrea and Fred-Allen, in White Hall before moving to Conway in 2013 following Truman’s retirement. Of all her roles in life, Anita’s favorite is being “Nana” to her five beautiful granddaughters—Laurel, Brooks, Elena, Olivia, and Mallory. She treasures every moment spent with them and considers family her greatest blessing.

Anita is also an active member of Calvary Church of the Nazarene in Little Rock, where she sings on the praise team and continues to use her musical gifts in worship and service.
Through every season of her life—as a school secretary/bookkeeper, musician, mentor, wife, mother, church member, and Nana-Anita Self has faithfully served others with grace, encouragement, and a heart for making a difference.

With the first week of kicking off next week, we wanted to celebrate the inaugural group of Hannah Jane Hammond Memorial Scholarship winners! We hope you have the best week, make amazing memories and learn so much! Not pictured is scholarship winner, Reznor Delamar.

It was such a privilege to award these students these scholarships in Hannah Jane's honor and with your help and support, we can continue to do so in the future! You can donate via the QR code or this link to help us grow the endowment in her honor. https://arcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund...

Introducing your Conway Band Foundation Board Secretary, Jeremy Chrysler.

Jeremy is a proud dad of three Conway band kids. He loves how the band brings the community together and teaches students how to develop skills through a massive, multi-year group initiative. You can usually find him manning the register at the concession stands during events. When he is not doing band support miscellany, he is working on product strategy at Yahoo, riding a bicycle, or sometimes both at the same time.