THROUGH MY MUSIC: Secrets to Inspiring Self and the Next Generation of Leaders
Clinic Synopsis:
Learn from the experiences and expertise of successful, veteran band directors who have dedicated three or more decades to music education. Panelists will share a wealth of knowledge on topics including personal growth, managing common challenges, and building program culture, as they continue to evolve into mentorship for the next generation of directors. Gain invaluable insights from those who have shaped countless young musicians and guided their journeys through the world of music.
Myra Rhoden
- Biographical Information
Dr. Myra Rhoden is the founder of the Athena Music and Leadership Camp (athenacamp.com), an all-girls music program created to promote musical excellence while emphasizing leadership skills. After a successful 30-year career as a band director in the public schools of Georgia and Alabama, she currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of West Georgia. Rhoden frequently serves as a guest conductor for state, regional, and university honor bands and is honored to have presented sessions at The Midwest Clinic, various national, state and regional conferences, and for school systems and professional development clinics throughout North America. A native of Tuskegee, Alabama, Dr. Rhoden was named the NAfME 2018 National Band Director of the Year, has been awarded the Outstanding Service to Music Award from Tau Beta Sigma, the Golden Rose Award from Women Band Directors International, multiple Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association, and has been named STAR Teacher and Teacher of the Year. She had the distinct pleasure of being a guest conductor for the United States Air Force Band and the United States Army Field Band of Washington, D. C. and the Tara Winds of Atlanta, Georgia. She is honored to be a member of the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, serves as a Conn Selmer Educational Clinician and was elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2023. She holds degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Southern Mississippi and resides in Fayetteville, Georgia with her husband, Errol Jr. Their son, Errol III, is a freelance musician based in Los Angeles.
Rebecca Phillips - Biographical Information
Dr. Rebecca Phillips is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Colorado State University where she conducts the CSU Wind Symphony and guides all aspects of the band and graduate wind conducting programs. Prior to this appointment, she served as the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of South Carolina where she was responsible for directing the Symphonic Winds Concert Band, “The Mighty Sound of the Southeast” Carolina Marching Band, “Concocktion” Pep Bands, teaching undergraduate instrumental conducting, and directing the Carolina Summer Drum Major Clinic. Dr. Phillips has served as guest-conductor, clinician, and performer throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Highlights included conductor-in-residence with the United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., the Department of Defense All-Europe High School Honor Band in Frankfurt, Germany, guest-conducting the “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, and both professional and collegiate musicians in Prague (Czech Republic) for the “Prague Multicultural Music Project.” In addition, she has conducted members of the Prague National Symphony at the inaugural "2017 American Spring Festival" (Prague, Czech Republic). In 2018, she conducted members of the Des Moines Symphony in a chamber concert for the Iowa Bandmasters Association annual conference.
Melissa Gustafson-Hinds - Biographical Information
Melissa Gustafson-Hinds is in her 17th year as Director of Bands at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Illinois. In addition to her teaching duties at O’Fallon Township High School, Dr. Gustafson-Hinds serves as Performing Arts Department Chair at OTHS, the Illinois Music Educators Association Band Division President, and a High School Representative on the 2024-2026 National Band Association Board of Directors. She is also a recent inductee into the American Bandmasters Association. The OTHS Band Program has recently earned the honors of the John Philip Sousa Sudler Flag of Honor (2022) and the Sudler Shield (2023). Under her direction, the OTHS Marching Panthers have been consistent Bands of America (BOA) Regional and Super Regional finalists, Grand National Semi-Finalists, and a Grand National Finalist in 2018. In 2015 and 2022, the band marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. The Marching Panthers recently performed in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The concert ensembles have performed at Carnegie Hall, the Illinois Superstate Concert Band Festival, the Music For All National Festival, the ILMEA State Convention, and the Midwest Clinic. The O’Fallon Township Band Program has been honored with the NBA Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award (2019) and numerous Music For All Advocacy Awards. Dr. Gustafson-Hinds is originally from Monmouth, Illinois. She holds degrees from Illinois State University, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and the University of Missouri St. Louis. She has been teaching in Illinois public schools for 31 years. Dr. Gustafson-Hinds is married to Evan Hinds; they have a daughter named Evelyn, who is 9.
Lois Wiggins - Biographical Information
Lois U. Wiggins, Retired Band Director, taught for 33 years in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, most recently serving as Band Director at Edythe J. Hayes Middle School in Lexington, Kentucky. Ms. Wiggins received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Austin Peay State University, Master of Music Education from the University of Georgia and Rank I in Secondary Education from Western Kentucky University. Ms. Wiggins is currently a Co-Conductor with the Central Kentucky Youth Repertory Orchestra and Adjunct Faculty at Eastern Kentucky University, School of Music and College of Education. Ms. Wiggins is past Kentucky Music Educators Association State Band Chair (2015-16) and served for 10 years as Band Content Area Leader for Fayette County Public Schools in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a past member and Associate Conductor of the Lexington Brass Band. Lois is a “Music for All '' Clinician and has guest conducted honor bands and adjudicated at concert band, marching band and solo & ensemble festivals in Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York and Tennessee, including the Foster Music Camp in Richmond Kentucky. Ms. Wiggins has served as a clinician at the Kentucky Music Educators In-Service Conference, Minority Band Directors National Conference, the Tapestry Multicultural Conference, Music for All Summer Music Symposium, and the Virtual Music Education Conference along with numerous in person and virtual clinics across the Midwest and southern united states. Her professional affiliations include the Association of Black Women Band Directors (Board of Directors), Minority Band Directors National Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, the Women Band Directors National Association, Sigma Alpha Iota & Phi Delta Kappa. Ms. Wiggins served on the PBM International Board of Directors from 2006 to 2012 and will serve on the board from January 2022 through December 2024. Kentucky Music Educator recognitions include District 2 Middle School Teacher of the Year (1997 & 2000), District 2 Distinguished Service Award (1998), Citation of Service Award (2014) and KMEA Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2000. Ms. Wiggins is a 2016 Grammy Music Educator Award National Finalist and received the International Women’s Brass Conference “Beacon Award '' in 2015. Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity recognized Lois as "Outstanding Young Band Director in Kentucky" in 1992 and “Outstanding Bandmaster” in 2010. Ms. Wiggins was inducted into the Psi Chapter, Phi Beta Mu Bandmasters Fraternity Hall of Fame in February of 2022.
Michele Fernández - Biographical Information
Michele Fernández is a published composer/arranger, active clinician/guest conductor, educator and performer. Her works for jazz and wind ensemble are represented by various publishers including Hal Leonard, EMP and MMP, as well as her own company MF Music/GiraSoul Productions, and have been performed by groups of all ages as well as at The Midwest Clinic, CBDNA, JEN, IAJE, various MEA’s and All-State/Regional bands. Most recently, Michele's ground-breaking wind ensemble composition, "Of Endless Miles and Empty Rafts" (published by Michele Fernández Music) was the recipient of the CBDNA 2023 Young Band Composition Award. Michele serves ensembles of all ages across the country through virtual or in-person clinics and Artist-in-Residence events. She recently retired from teaching after 30 years, where her Miami Senior High ensembles earned top honors and gained international acclaim despite being a Title One school with minimal resources. Her groups have been selected for appearances at the Midwest Clinic (Chicago ’93 & ’98), IAJE (Boston ’94, NY ’97), Montreux Jazz Fest (Switzerland ’96), FMEA and national publications. Michele has featured on “CBS Sunday Morning”, Band Director’s Guide and Downbeat Magazine. She has also taught SPED, ESOL, HS English and Chemistry. Before focusing on writing, she served as an oboist in the Miami area, and spent several years as a rhythm section member of a busy Afro-Latin/Jazz ensemble. As a composer/clinician: Michele views writing and clinics as an opportunity to discuss important aspects of life, while also focusing on the art form of performance, and in so doing, to help others gain more self-confidence and an increased awareness of compassion for others that will lead to success in all areas of life.
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