Board and Staff

Augusto hails from Blountville, Tennessee, but frequently performs, accompanies, teaches, conducts, and adjudicates throughout the southeastern United States and has instructed musicians seeking continuing education in several countries throughout Europe and Asia.

Mr. Gil earned his Bachelor of Music and certification in K-12 Music Education with double emphases in voice and piano from Carson-Newman University. In 2018, he earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina, where he studied with Drs. Larry Wyatt and Alicia W. Walker, and is currently completing work for the Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the University of South Carolina.

After earning his MM, Augusto enjoyed four and a half years as Choral Director at Meadow Glen Middle School in Lexington, South Carolina, where he more than tripled participation in the choral program, established the first cross-disciplinary celebration of Heritage Months in Lexington County schools, and organized and directed a music department wide concert of masterworks arranged for middle school musicians for the school’s 100 member orchestra and 120 voice choir. He serves as Assistant Director of Music and Worship at Eastminster Presbyterian Church of Columbia and is the owner and operator of Improving Arts Academy,  a private instruction and coaching studio for voice and piano students. He enjoys working with students of all ages, and leads by example in seeking opportunities for collaboration, innovation in music, and excellence in performance.

Augusto previously served as International First Vice President for Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity, but currently serves as an advisory member to the organization’s board.  He is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society, the American Choral Directors Association, and the National Association for Music Educators. He is a contributing author to GIA Publications’ Sacred Music Choral Repertoire: Insights for Conductors, and also serves as the Chairman of the Board for Limited Time Only, a Columbia based chamber choir consisting of professional musicians.

Mr. Gil currently lives in West Columbia, South Carolina with his husband, John Michael, and their dogs, Rose, Apollo, and Tommy. When not creatively focused on music and performance, Augusto enjoys spending time with his chosen family in South Carolina, playing board games, and traveling.