Recognition

Honors, Awards, Nominations & Grants

Over two decades of recognition for teaching, conducting, and advocacy in music education — spanning national organizations, arts institutions, and international engagements.

2024

Marquis Who's Who in 2024

Nov. 2023

Force for Health Hero

Force for Health Network — First Partnership in New York State
2023

Eastern Division Honoree, Dr. William P. Foster Community Development Award

Presented by the National Band Association and the College Band Directors Association

Honored at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic.

2023

Saluting America's Band Directors, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Selected to perform with the Band Directors' Marching Band.

2023

Mockingbird Foundation Grant

$1,000 Music Grant
2022

The Meritorious Achievement Award

Given by the Minority Band Directors National Association

Awarded at the Midwest International Band & Orchestra Conference.

Spring 2020; 2023

Associate Conductor, The Manhattan Wind Ensemble

Assisted the Artistic Conductor in all aspects of preparation for the performing season — score prep, rehearsal prep, conducting rehearsals & performances, and logistics. Led warm-ups and conducted at least one piece during each concert cycle; available to lead the ensemble in the absence of the Artistic Director.

Aug. 2023

Global Jazz Women Symposium — Johannesburg, South Africa

Educator, Clinician, Performer (Clarinet)

Panel guest for "Expanding and Exploring Spaces for Women in the Jazz Community," presented at the Women in Education Conference at Wits University. Performed with the all-women Jazz Ensemble at Pretoria University.

Aug. 2023

Kingdom Arts Academy, CampHER — Botswana, Africa

Taught music classes and private lessons to 50 teenage girls from Botswana. Conducted workshops & clinics, and prepared and assisted with all aspects of the end-of-week student performance. Performed with the adult female Fleek Jazz Band.

2021

Conducting Fellow, Wind Ensemble Symposium

Kent State University

Selected to rehearse and conduct the Kent State University Wind Ensemble, alongside Guest Conductor Anthony J. Maiello.

Summer 2006; Summer 2023

Band Director, American Music Abroad

Supervised over 200 high school band students abroad on an educational and music tour. Conducted and directed the symphonic band in seven concerts throughout Europe, and supported all aspects of tour logistics, supervision, and safety.

2015–2016

Selected Educator, Music Educators Workshop

Carnegie Hall
2015

Selected Educator, Summer Music Educators Workshop

Carnegie Hall
2014–2020; 2023

Nominee, Big Apple Awards Recognizing Teacher Excellence

2011–2025

Model Classroom Teacher & Ambassador

Music Will / Little Kids Rock, Non-Profit Organization
2012–2014

Teacher Trainer

Little Kids Rock
2012–2023

Scholarship Recipient, Band Director Academy

Jazz at Lincoln Center
Feb. 2015

All-Star Educator Grant

Brooklyn Nets — $1,000
2014–2015

Instrument Grant Recipient

Mr. Holland's Opus & WQXR

Received over 70 concert band instruments for the school.

2013–2014

Melody Instrument Repair Grant

YANY / FIKS — $1,400
2009

Grant Recipient

Percussive Arts Society / Meredith Music Publication

Included free membership to the Percussive Arts Society and a free trip to the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.

2009

Grant Recipient

Music For Everyone — $2,000

Commissioned Michael Story's "The Pioneer Spirit," World Premiere, 2009.

2009

Incubator Seed Grant

West Chester University's Excellent Educator & Entrepreneurial Institute
2008

Educator 500 Award

2008

Guest Conductor, 50th Anniversary

Salute to Music Borough-Wide Honor Band — Queens
2012–2013

Substitute Conductor

For Ms. Jen Schecter-Lonborg
2007

Guest Conductor, Middle School Honor Band

Lancaster – Lebanon Music Educators Association (LLMEA)
Professional Affiliations

Memberships & Leadership Roles

1996–Present

National Association for Music Education (NAfME)

  • Member, Equity Committee & Equity Leadership Institute, 2023–present
  • Member, Strategic Planning Committee for NAfME DEIA, 2023–present
2015–2022; 2023–Present

New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA)

  • Woodwind Adjudicator, 2018–present
2020–Present

Association of Black Women Band Directors (ABWBD)

  • Founding, Charter & Lifetime Member, 2021–present
  • Executive Board, Financial Secretary, 2021–2023
2022–Present

Tau Beta Sigma (TBS), National Band Sorority

Lifetime Honorary Membership.

  • Presenter, "Women in Music" Speaker, Southeastern Division Conference
2007–2024

Women Band Directors International (WBDI)

  • Eastern Division Representative, 2009–2020
  • NY Representative, 2010–2020; 2022–present
  • PA Representative, 2009–2012
2008–2012

Lancaster County Jr. Youth Orchestra / Wind Ensemble

  • Board of Directors, 2008–2012
2008–2011

Musical Arts Society of Lancaster

  • Membership Chair, 2008–2011
2001–2009

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA)

  • Middle School Curriculum / Instruction, 2009
Scholarship & Outreach

Presentations, Clinics & Publications

Apr. 2026

Teaching Music Journal — "Jam Session"

National Association for Music Education · Vol. 33, No. 4, p. 6

Featured educator reflecting on balancing performance, ongoing study, and conducting alongside a full-time teaching career — and how staying active as a musician shapes classroom instruction.

Summer 2026

Modern Band Summit — Fort Collins, CO

2020; 2024

The Midwest International Band and Orchestra Conference

2023 + 2024

KIPP NYC Regional Professional Development Week

2023

NAfME All-Eastern Conference

National Association for Music Education
2022

Tau Beta Sigma, National Band Sorority

Presenter for "Women In Music" Speaker, Southeastern Division Conference.

2022

Music Will Teacher Feature Blog

Featured as a Modern Band educator, KIPP Infinity Middle School, Harlem, NY

Profiled for bringing the Music Will (formerly Little Kids Rock) Modern Band program into her classroom after a decade of hesitation — and for the enduring, family-like relationships she builds with students that continue well into their adult lives. On adopting the program: "They were excited about music class, and so was I!"

2023

Association of Black Women Band Directors (ABWBD)

2023

Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA)

2021–2024

Drum Major Leadership Association Clinician

2012–2016

Music Educators' Association of New York City (MEANYC) Conference

2012

Music Will / Little Kids Rock, Rockfest

2008

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

Guest Panelist & Additional Contributions

2022

Women in Education Conference @ Wits University

Johannesburg, South Africa
2021

Global Women in Jazz Podcast

2021

"Expanding and Exploring Spaces for Women in the Jazz Community"

Perspectives from the Field Podcast, hosted by Keith Hodgson
2020

The David & Dovetta Wilson Scholarship Fund Community Exchange Dialogue

"Social Consciousness & Self-Expression in the Performing Arts"
2015

Contributing Author, "Performance in Jazz" (Book)

In the Spotlight

Featured Videos

Music as a Safe Place: Jennifer & Francisco

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Eduardo's Story: A Second Chance Through Music

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Music Educator Showcase

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