Stephanie Aarons-Dennison
Stephanie Aarons-Dennison (Centralia, IL) is the band director at Centralia High School in Centralia, Illinois, where she teaches all instrumental ensembles, including jazz band, percussion ensemble, rock band, AP Music Theory, Music Appreciation, and Music Fundamentals. She also serves as band director at St. Mary Catholic Grade School. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Illinois University and her Master of Music Education from the University of Illinois.
Under her leadership, the band program has earned IHSA Division I concert band ratings, performed in the 2022 Sugar Bowl Parade and halftime show, been a finalist for the 2023 Varsity Brands School Spirit Award for Performing Arts, and participates in Bands of America Super Regional Championships. She previously served as Operations Assistant for the Boston Crusaders Drum & Bugle Corps and assists with DCI housing coordination in the Metro East area.
Aarons-Dennison serves as ILMEA District 6 President and as an assistant with the Music for All Summer Camp Director Academy. She has been recognized as WJBD Radio’s Teacher of the Week (2021), an Illinois Jaycees Outstanding Young Persons of Illinois recipient (Class of 2024), a 2025 Music for All Advocacy in Action Award recipient, and a 2026 EIU Music Education Distinguished Alumni.
An active performer, she plays with the Centralia Philharmonic Orchestra, Centralia Community Band, and the Barrelhouse Big Band. She resides in Breese, Illinois, with her husband, Matthew Dennison.