Welcome to the Home of the
Cape Fear Bands & Ensembles
...Performance, Education, Leadership, Service

About Mr. McPhail

​

Mr. James Ryan McPhail is a native of Eastover, NC where he attended Cape Fear High School and graduated in 1990. While at CFHS Mr. McPhail studied with Dr. Jack Stamp in preparation for college auditions. He completed his undergraduate in Music Education at East Carolina University and studied with percussion instructors Harold Jones and Mark Ford. While at ECU he developed a love for teaching through his work instructing drumlines in the Greenville, NC area and Oldham County Kentucky. Ryan has taught high school and middle school band in Montgomery County, Cumberland County, Richmond County, and Harnett County before returning to Cumberland County and his roots at Mac Williams Middle School where he assists Mrs. Felicia MacNaught with the BIGMAC BAND. Mr. McPhail’s children have both been a part of the band at MWMS and CFHS. Ryan has also worked as percussion instructor for the Cape Fear High School Marching Colts in addition to various other schools in southeastern NC. Ryan was the recipient of the 2022 Southeastern District Bandmasters Association Award of Excellence. Mr. McPhail hopes his work as director, mentor, and private instructor has encouraged students to enjoy music for the rest of their lives.