Connor Challey is the Director of Athletic Bands and Tuba Instructor at North Dakota State University, where he is entering his fifth season leading the Gold Star Marching Band and Bison Pep Bands. In this role, he oversees all aspects of the athletic band program, including performance, recruitment, operations, and strategic growth.
Under his leadership, the Gold Star Marching Band has expanded its presence both on campus and across the region, performing for major athletic events, community engagements, and national-stage opportunities tied to NDSU Athletics. His work emphasizes a high-energy, student-centered performance culture while advancing the program’s visibility and impact during a transformative era for NDSU Athletics. In addition to his athletic band responsibilities, Challey teaches Marching Band Techniques, instructs chamber ensembles, and maintains an active studio of Tuba and Euphonium students.
Challey holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Tuba Performance from the University of Miami and a Master of Music degree in Tuba Performance from Colorado State University. His primary teachers include Samuel Pilafian, Patrick Sheridan, Aaron Tindall, Stephen Dombrowski, and Velvet Brown.
Originally from California, Challey brings a diverse musical background that includes performing in rock, metal, and punk bands, as well as teaching guitar, bass, and drum set. He is a chartering member of the Beta Psi Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at UCLA, a member of CBDNA, and a lifetime member of the International Tuba Euphonium Association. He currently resides in Fargo, North Dakota.