Band Director Boot Camp

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Kat Barrett, a high school band director from Eastern Washington. Kat shares her journey from being inspired by her family of educators and her high school band director, to becoming a passionate music teacher herself. She discusses the challenges and rewards of teaching a variety of music classes, including concert bands, jaz...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat talks with Sarah Nietupski, a 7th through 12th-grade band director from Michigan. Sarah shares her journey of teaching while managing multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic illness that has forced her to adapt her teaching style and lifestyle. She discusses the concept of "spoons" as a metaphor for energy and the importance of pacing onese...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Sara Iannelli, an instrumental music teacher from New Jersey. Sara shares her unique approach to music education, which she has developed over her 11 years of teaching. She discusses her recent degree in social justice education and how it has influenced her teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and o...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat talks with Bart Roberts, a seasoned middle school band teacher from Mishawaka, IN. Bart shares his personal journey of overcoming stress, anxiety, and high blood pressure through a commitment to physical health. He discusses how incorporating regular exercise into his routine, including running, cycling, and participating in triathlons...

In this episode of Band Director Bootcamp, we have the pleasure of speaking with Ruth Petersen, a retired band director with over 28 years of experience. Ruth shares her journey of overcoming health challenges through physical activity and how it not only improved her health but also her teaching. She discusses her struggle with PCOS, hypothyroidism, and diabetes, and how walking and movement beca...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, we have the pleasure of speaking with Nancy Ditmer, a former president of NAfME and the Ohio Music Education Association. With 47 years of teaching experience, Nancy shares her insights on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, the importance of having a broader perspective, and the unexpected benefits of owning pets. She also discusses her journey in...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Scott Sheehan, the national president of NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and an experienced band director. They discuss productivity and wellness tips for busy band directors and delve into Scott's journey as a band director and his passion for sustaining the profession. Scott emphasizes the importance of fi...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Patrick Holen, a seasoned band director from Issaquah High School. Patrick shares his journey from being a graduate of Indiana University to teaching in the Pacific Northwest. He discusses the importance of social and emotional work with his students and how he has managed to build a strong community within his band. Patrick e...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat interviews Aliyah Jackson, a high school band director from Beaverton, Oregon. Aliyah shares her journey of achieving harmony in her life amidst the demanding role of a band director. She emphasizes the importance of having personal goals and passions outside of work, in her case, horse riding and playing in a professional big band. Al...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, we delve into the personal and professional journey of Josh Brandon, a seasoned band director from Northeast Georgia. Josh shares his experiences navigating through burnout, personal loss, and the challenges of the pandemic. He also discusses the importance of mental health, work-life balance, and the role of relationships in teaching. Josh introduces a...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Danika White, a seasoned band director with 28 years of teaching experience. Danika shares her productivity tips and organizational strategies that have helped her manage her time and resources effectively. She discusses the importance of establishing routines and procedures, the value of clear labeling, and the benefits of ha...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Theresa Hoover, co-author of the book "Pass the Baton" and host of the "Pass the Baton Podcast". Theresa shares her insights on empowering students in the music classroom and how this approach can lead to a more productive and balanced teaching experience. She discusses her journey from a classroom teacher to pursuing a PhD in...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat speaks with Cheyenne Higgs, a band director who has just completed her first year in the profession. Cheyenne shares her journey into music education, her experiences in her first year as a band director, and the challenges she faced. She discusses the importance of maintaining a balance between her professional and personal life, seek...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Deon Williams, a middle school and collegiate band director with a unique journey in music education. Despite being relatively new to the profession, Deon has navigated the challenges of teaching during a pandemic, managing multiple roles, and fostering a culture of excellence among his students. He shares his strategies for m...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat speaks with Ansgar Duemchen, a seasoned band director with a unique journey in music education. Ansgar shares his experiences teaching in Germany and the United States, and how he has navigated the challenges of balancing work, family, and personal health. He discusses the importance of not taking work too seriously, maintaining a heal...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat is joined by Dirkjan Van Groningen, a percussion specialist from the Netherlands. Dirkjan shares his unique journey into music education, discussing his experiences as a percussionist, composer, arranger, and teacher. He provides insights into the differences between music education in Europe and the US, emphasizing the importance of i...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat talks with retired band director and conductor Lois Ferrari. Lois shares her journey from being a band student in Long Island to becoming a respected conductor and educator in Texas. She discusses the importance of having a clear vision, the value of stepping out of your comfort zone, and the necessity of being a lifelong learner. Lois...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, host Lesley Moffat welcomes Bridget Stepan, a 6th grade beginning band director from North Dakota. Bridget shares her unique journey in music education, from her own experiences as a student with a revolving door of band directors to her current role as a teacher. She discusses the challenges she faced in teaching combined classes and how she found innov...

In this enlightening episode of Band Director Boot Camp, our host Lesley Moffat welcomes the three-time Grammy Music Educator of the Year nominee, Cory Craig. Cory opens up about her inspiring journey from being a foster child to becoming a fervent music educator, underlining the life-changing role her middle school band director played in her life. She delves into her teaching philosophy, the sig...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, we welcome Derek Pyle, a seasoned choir and band director at Auburn Mountain View High School. Derek shares his personal journey of finding balance between his passion for music, teaching, and his personal life. He discusses the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing health, both physical and emotional. Derek also shares how he navigated throu...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, we have a candid conversation with Daniel Kexel, a seasoned band director and Fine Arts coordinator at Ford Middle School in South Pierce County. Daniel shares his journey of overcoming impostor syndrome and redefining his definition of success. He talks about the importance of separating self-worth from job performance and finding joy outside of teachin...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, we speak with Kristin Cudzewicz, a 6th-12th grade band director from Wisconsin. Kristin shares her journey of finding balance between her work and personal life, especially after becoming a mother. She discusses the challenges of managing a large band program while also maintaining her personal responsibilities. Kristin provides valuable tips on organiza...

In this episode of Band Director Boot Camp, we welcome Thomas Willman, a band director from Texas Wesleyan University. With a rich background in teaching across different environments, Thomas shares his insights on maintaining wellness and productivity in the demanding field of band directing. Thomas discusses his journey from teaching in Indiana to Colorado and now Texas, highlighting the unique...

Welcome to the first episode of Band Director Boot Camp! In this episode, we're joined by Heather Marsh-Myers, a 17-year teaching veteran and band director who shares her journey in the profession and the strategies she's developed to maintain her productivity and wellness. Heather discusses the challenges of balancing her career with her personal life, especially as a mother. She shares her exper...