Jay Bolder is a native of Monroe, NC. After graduation from Wingate University in 1980, he began his career in Cumberland County teaching in both middle school and high school programs. He remained there for 30 years until retirement in 2010. From 2011 through 2013, he held interim positions in both Cumberland County and Scotland County. Since 2013, he has served as a part-time assistant director and academic teacher at Central Academy for Technology and Arts in Monroe. He has served as a clinician in both North and South Carolina. 

He is a prolific composer, arranger and adjudicator. His bands have been exemplary in many areas: marching band, concert band, jazz band, pop band, and full orchestra. His programs also participated annually in Solo and Ensemble MPA. His personal philosophy for music education is to offer music to anyone who would like to learn. His bands garnered 41 Superior ratings at Concert Band MPA, usually taking three bands per year and once taking four bands. His bands performed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Philadelphia, Florida, California, Virginia and on a cruise to the Bahamas. Forty of his students have enrolled in college as music majors, many as band directors. He has performed in musicals, community bands, symphony orchestras, top 40 groups and jazz groups. His varied experience includes casting and choreographing scenes for the movie “Bolden”.

He has received “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine”, the highest civilian award the state can bestow. Hope Mills, the town where he taught, honored him with “Jay Bolder Day”. He is a member of our state music and instrumental organizations. In addition, he has held memberships in the Cumberland County Band Directors Association, Southeastern District Band Association, South Central District Band Directors Association, and is a member of the American School Band Directors Association.