Patricia Thornton Hayes

The gift of music found Patricia Hayes at an early age. As a child, she gravitated towards picking up any instrument she could and soon knew that she wanted to share her love and passion for the art with others.  In this respect, she pursued the study as a music major at West Virginia University. She received a Bachelor of Arts in 1956. Later on, Ms. Hayes continued her academic journey by receiving a Master of Science in special education at Old Dominion University in 1970. Upon receiving her undergraduate degree, Ms. Hayes started as the choral director of music at Clendenin High School. She spent a year here before joining the faculty at Shelton Park Elementary School in a similar role and then Campostella Heights Elementary School. Ms. Hayes rounded out the decade as the director of music for Suburban Park Elementary School and Bayview Elementary School.

Throughout the 1970s, Ms. Hayes continued spreading the joy of music to students as a teacher of music and special education at Mount Zio Elementary School and as a director of music at Meadowbrooke & Lakeview Elementary. In 1973, she joined the faculty of Portsmouth City Schools as the director of choral and orchestra. She remained in this position until 1996. In 1993, Ms. Hayes began working as a specialist of music for the Portsmouth Diagnostic Center and remained in this position until her retirement in 2005. In addition to working in education, Ms. Hayes has provided her skills and expertise as a judge for the Doris Sahr Memorial Piano Competition. She has also directed music programs and festivals for the city of Chesapeake, Virginia, and for the School Theatre productions. As a musician, her talents have accompanied special occasions such as weddings, receptions and church gatherings. Since 2007, she has been an accompanist for The Singing Beaz. Ms. Hayes composed “We’re Supporting You All the Way” in 1991 and served as the choral director for the Mayor’s Breakfast, Seawall Festival, Manor High School Award Banquet and NAVSEA.