Stephen Lawrence-Carroll, TDP Class of 2003

Biography

Stephen Lawrence-Carroll serves as the Director of Orchestral and Music Theory Activities at North Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he also leads as the Fine and Performing Arts Department Chair. A veteran music educator, he has shaped orchestral programs in both urban and suburban settings since 2007, beginning his career in Rochester, NY before returning to Georgia to teach and lead within Clayton County and Atlanta Public Schools. Stephen's leadership and passion for music education have earned him numerous accolades, including the Atlanta Public Schools High School Teacher of the Year (2018), ASTA Georgia Chapter Educator of the Year (2019), the Fine Arts Teacher Excellence Award (2022), and the CMA Music Teacher of Excellence Grant (2023). In 2018, he was also named Teacher of the Year at North Atlanta High School. His influence extends beyond the classroom, having served as the Orchestra Lead Teacher for Atlanta Public Schools (2014-2022) and State Orchestra Chair for the Georgia Music Educators Association (2021-2023). Stephen is in demand nationally as a clinician and presenter. 

In 2023, he was honored to serve as a clinician for the Middle School Honors Orchestra at Carnegie Hall through the WorldStrides Honors Performance Series. Most recently, he was selected as a clinician for the 2025 American String Teachers Association National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta, GA. He has presented workshops and clinics for leading music organizations including Conn Selmer, Music for All, the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), ASTA, and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. Committed to professional excellence, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Loyola University New Orleans, a Master of Music Education from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing an Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in Curriculum and Leadership at Piedmont University. He is certified in both International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement Music Theory and remains an advocate for innovative, student-centered instruction in music education.