So, who knew a passion for music would be hereditary?

Professor Emily Hamlyn, from Hendersonville, has been officially recognized as a professor of the UT Martin Music department and director of the Aviators Marching Band.

Hamlyn was introduced to music at a very young age. Both of her parents were music educators during her childhood, paving the way to the job she has today.

“Since day one, it’s kind of always been assumed, you know, ‘you’re going to go on and when you’re in college…no matter what your major is, you’re going to continue to have a love of music through your whole life,'” Hamlyn said.

Before ultimately settling on a career in Music Education, Hamlyn considered majoring in Chemical Engineering. Upon realizing that the Music degree would take longer to complete, she tried the music degree program and ended up staying in it for the remainder of college.

“It’s interesting because education ends up being more of a combination of an art and a science, you’re learning how to interact with students and respond to students. But you’re also learning theories and principles and things that tried and true work every time. So it’s the mix has been really enjoyable, actually,” she said.

Hamlyn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at the University of Alabama. She later earned a Master’s degree in Wind Conducting at the University of Kentucky. After receiving what was essentially a degree in both education and music, Hamlyn became an Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at Clemson University for two years.

Growing up as a Tennessee resident, Hamlyn was very excited when she found out there was an application open at UT Martin. She had always known about the college and its Aviators Marching Band, which had influenced her decision to take the job.

“I knew that the students at UT Martin were going to be super high quality, they were going to be super hard workers, the environment was going to be one where everybody was a community and a family, I wanted to come together [to unite] under music.”

At this point in the school year, Hamlyn has had nothing but praise to say about the students she has worked with thus far.

“The students are wonderful. I’ve been completely blown away by how hard they have worked and how much effort they put into  every rehearsal and every performance that we’ve been a part of,” she said.

Even though it is only Hamlyn’s first year at Martin, she is still highly involved in some of the Music department’s biggest plans.

“So one of the big things we’re doing right now is bringing back programs that have happened in the past. So [November 8], we’re doing High School Band Day,” she said. “It’s the TSU game, and we’re inviting a bunch of high schoolers from anywhere in the country to come and join us and perform at both halftime and in the stands throughout the football game.”

While being a professor and marching band director, Hamlyn balances a home life with her husband, Caleb, and 13-month-old son, Jack.

“[Caleb’s] the band director at Paducah-Tillman High School. Go Tornadoes! And so we share a lot of things. We work together on things. He’s an incredible graphic designer. So he definitely gives me pointers and tips as far as that’s concerned. I think I arrange more music than he does. So I give him tips on that,” she said.

Hamlyn is also aware that her young son may also develop an interest in music like the rest of the family.

“He’s in love with music. He loves being around the bands. Whenever we go to contests or football games or any of those kinds of things, he comes along, and he’s really excited about it,” she said.

Isabelle Dockery, a junior Veterinary Science major from Knoxville, praised Hamlyn.

“She’s very efficient, but also helps us strive to be better than we always are at each practice, [she leads us to not only] grow as musicians, but also kind of as friends and kind of like a family as well,” she said.

Clara Kallaos, a senior Music Education major from Lebanon who is currently the Aviators’ drum major, also put in a good word for Hamlyn.

“She’s very positive. There’s just an overwhelming sense of love and passion and I can really tell that she really loves what she does. It’s really cool to watch her get up there and get into that role of the athletic band director,” Kallaos said.

As a closing statement, Hamlyn asked students to get involved with the Aviators Marching Band if they are interested.

“If you’re not involved with the Aviators Marching Band, and this is something you’re interested in, we would love to have as many people involved as possible,” she said.

Hamlyn and her family of music educators will continue to play an active role in the UT Martin Aviators as the football season continues.