John R. Hayes High Steppin' Majorette & Drum Corp

Donate today to support Asheville's oldest Majorette and Drum Corp!  Together these young performers have the power to create lasting change in our communities. Thank you!

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Give a gift today!

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A Marching Legacy:
The John R. Hayes High Steppin’ Majorette and Drum Corps is one of Asheville’s longest-running and most influential African American artistic traditions. Founded in 1977 as the Hillcrest High Steppin' Majorettes and Drum Corp by the late John R. Hayes, the band has been a cultural institution for over four decades, with more than 10,000 young people passing through its ranks. Today, the program integrates Umoja’s trauma-informed and resiliency-based healing framework into every aspect of its work, supporting youth not only as performers but as youth leaders healing themselves and their communities.

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From the beginning, the program was more than a band—it was a youth led initiative, a way to honor the talents and voices of the youth, and to instill discipline, camaraderie, and confidence in young people, especially those from historically marginalized communities. John Hayes, inspired by the legendary marching bands of HBCUs and the traditions of Stephens-Lee High School, saw an opportunity to create something lasting—a movement that merged art, education, mentorship, and healing.