Patrick Garrison, M.Ed., is a multifaceted arts leader, conductor, and professional musician, serving as the Executive Director of Tidewater Classical Guitar and Orchestra Director of the Tidewater Guitar Orchestra. He brings a broad background in music education, ensemble leadership, and performance to his work, helping shape a vibrant and forward-looking classical guitar community in the Tidewater region.

Patrick earned his master’s degree in Music Education from Old Dominion University in 2012 and spent a decade as a high school and college music educator. He currently serves as Interim HRIS Manager at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, where he oversees HRIS operations and supports workforce systems and organizational effectiveness. His experience in systems management and strategic coordination continues to inform his approach to arts leadership.

He joined the Tidewater Guitar Orchestra as its director in late 2021 and became Executive Director of Tidewater Classical Guitar in early 2022. Since then, Patrick has guided the organization through a period of significant artistic and organizational growth—expanding concert programming, strengthening education and community outreach initiatives, and fostering collaborations with internationally recognized artists and regional partners—positioning Tidewater Classical Guitar as a leading force in the Hampton Roads arts community.

In addition to his leadership roles, Patrick is an active performer throughout Virginia and a founding member of PC Duo, a classical guitar duo established in 2012 that performs professionally across the Hampton Roads region. His combined experience as a conductor, educator, administrator, and performer continues to advance the visibility and impact of classical guitar throughout the Tidewater region.