He graduated from the Hartt School with a Bachelor of Music degree cum laude in musicology.
[1] In addition, he continued conducting studies with Charles Bruck at the Pierre Monteux School in Hancock, ME.
[1] Hayes made his Philadelphia Orchestra conducting debut in May 2003, sharing a program with Wolfgang Sawallisch.
In 2002, Hayes became director of orchestral and conducting studies at Mannes College The New School for Music in New York City.
In July 2012, the New York Choral Society announced the appointment of Hayes as its next music director, effective with the 2012-2013 season.