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Collage featuring a saxophone player, a marching band performer, a dancer jumping on stage, and a dancer rehearsing in a studio

Experience Dance and Music at NC State

The Department of Performing Arts and Technology is where NC State students of any major cultivate and explore their creative interests—no matter where they lead.

Our courses and programs empower students to evolve as performers, cultivate entrepreneurial skills, explore innovative methods to elevate their art through technology and acquire knowledge of the theory, history, and cultural importance of dance and music.

Whether you’re a mover, musician, performing arts enthusiast or innovator, your artistic passions will thrive at NC State.

“[The department] is genuinely one of the happiest communities I’ve ever been a part of. Everybody in the department is there because they care about making music with other people.”

Anna Lee, ’22

Founder and President, Music Theory Club
Minor in Flute Performance

Connect With Us

At NC State, our student-performers come from every college on campus to perform in our dance companies, music ensembles, study music or arts entrepreneurship, and find their community.

Be a part of the NC State performing arts experience on social media.

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Welcome, Colby Vasquez, our new assistant director of bands! 🎉 Originally from Tollhouse, a small town in California's Sierra Nevada foothills, Colby's education and experience has had him crisscrossing the country. He joins us most recently from the University of Florida, where he is currently a doctoral candidate, pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting. While at UF, he conducted the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Brass Band, New Music Ensemble, and Trombone Choir. Colby also worked with the Gator Marching Band and the athletic pep bands, including directing the band for the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game in San Antonio, Texas. 🎶

Colby brings a wealth of experience. Prior to his time in Florida, he was an instrumental music director at two California high schools where he was recognized as "Teacher of the Year" and awarded the "Crowd Award: Medal of Merit." 

Colby earned his BA in Music Education from California State University Fresno, where he was a member of the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band and the Bulldog Beat scholarship pep band. He earned his Masters of Music Education with a focus in Wind Conducting from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. And he continues to serve as Drill Writer for the 400-member UMass Minuteman Marching Band. Plus he marched in the Santa Clara Vanguard and is a former staff member. 

We're so thrilled for Colby to join us, and look forward to an exciting year!

Inspire Lifelong Performing

When you support the Department of Performing Arts and Technology, you’re providing resources that enable NC State students to continue learning and performing now and into the future, just like these Power Sound of the South® alumni.

Join our passionate alumni community in their commitment to the student-performers of NC State by making a gift to the Dance or Music Enhancement Funds.

photo of marching band alumni performing during a reunion
Flute performance minor and 2019-20 Toni Christine Masini Memorial Music Scholarship recipient Reece Neff, ’20, speaks with Mickie Masini, Toni’s mother, following the scholarship presentation at the ECU football game on Aug. 31. Photo by Dan Jahn.