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Committees
The organization needs your specialized skills and talents. We have worked to organize our committees for clarity and efficiency so members seeking further opportunities for involvement can find one that best fits you. You are welcome to reach out to any of the chairs and members with further questions and inquiries. Completing the WBDI Committee Interest Form is by no means a commitment, but rather a request for more information and a further conversation with one of our committee chairs or members.
WBDI Committee Interest Form
Commission
Competition
Committee
CHAIR - Shayna Stahl (KY)
CO-CHAIR - Courtney Snyder (MI)
Bethann Adams (TX) - Immediate Past President
Val Sherman (Canada)
Jennifer Payne (NC) - MS
Lisa Zemlock (WI) - MS
Noelle Hutcheson (GA) - HS
Dana Mandell - HS
Virginia Allen (NC) - College
Jerianne Larson (TX) - College
This committee helps support the organizational elements of the bi-annual Composition Competition. The most important task of committee members is that of judging the submitted work to determine a winner.
Micro-Grants
Committee
CHAIR - Shemeka Nash (IL)
CO-CHAIR - Catherine Rand (MS)
Tara Cappelletti (IL)
Lauren Diaz (NJ)
Hannah Greer-Young (VA)
Judy Grimes (IL)
Andrea Mack (MI)
Ashley Shoupe (KY)
Shayna Stahl (KY)
Braeden Weyhrich (IA)
The Women Band Directors International organization recognizes the value of each individual and promotes integrity, respect, and regard for others. Equality within its membership is a core value in WBDI. We strive to create a welcoming environment that reflects the community of music educators we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their whole, authentic selves to this organization. Additionally, this committee provides annual microgrants that promote diversity and inclusion in the K-12 school and community bands. They provide financial assistance for these selected band programs to pursue and actively engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
Historical Curation
Committee
CHAIR - M. J. Robinson (IN)
CO-CHAIR - Dawn Farmer (IL)
Debbie Bradley (GA)
Kathy Cox (GA)
Cathi Quick (TX)
Gina Rand (FL)
The rich history of WBDI is the history of all women. The preservation of this history is vital for reflecting on how far we have come and how much more potential we have to achieve. The chair and co-chair of the committee act as a liaison to the University of Maryland, who curates the organization's historical documents and artifacts. The committee aids in collecting and delivering this information.
Corporate Membership
Committee
CHAIR - Bethann Adams (TX)
Dr. Meara Mitchell (MO)
WBDI supports and encourages partnerships between the educational and corporate personnel within the profession. This committee fosters such relationships and promotes businesses who advocate for music education. The members recruit and act as liaisons between the organization and the corporate members.
Mentorship
Committee
CO-CHAIR - OPEN
CO-CHAIR - OPEN
Sarah Bacome-Stertzbach (NC)
Christina Blahnik (MI)
Jennifer Gordon (IN)
Judith Grimes (IL)
Erin Mahr (IA)
Erika Preslicka (WA)
Nikki Sanford (MI)
Brittany Smith (PA)
Angela Schroeder (Alberta, Canada)
Audrey Yosai (NC)
Rachel Zephir (DC/MI)
Visit the Mentorship webpage.
The Mentorship Committee of Women Band Directors International is a dedicated group of experienced music educators passionate about mentoring the next generation of women band directors. Our mission as a committee is to provide support to empower women band directors, including but not limited to:
1) Creating mentorship opportunities for members of WBDI through conversation, coaching, visits, sharing of resources, ideas and experience; 2) Fostering positive relationships amongst the women of our profession that will lead to the sharing of wisdom, experience, and encouragement that promote teaching/making music at a high level, program development, and professional longevity; and
3) Collaborating as women in the field of band directorship in projects that promote connectivity and growth as a community.
Midwest Booth Committee
MIDWEST BOOTH COMMITTEE
CHAIR - M. J. Robinson
Co-Chair - Shemeka Nash (IL)
Co-Chair - Ruth Petersen (NC)
Kelly Gage (TX)
Leigh Ann McClain (TX)
Krystal Williams (MD)
WBDI gathers twice a year at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the WBDI Summer Conference. This is the opportunity for the organization to welcome members both new and already active. The Midwest Booth is a visual representation of the organization that provides information to potential members and allows members to gather.
Professional Development Committee
CHAIR - Lesley Moffat (WA)
Dawn Barrett (NJ)
Dr. Tomisha Brock (NC)
Sarah Bussineau (MI)
Sarah Edwards (VA)
Tiffany Hitz (VA)
Ashley Hokenson (VA)
Dr. Theresa Hoover (NC)
Dr. Leah McGray (Ontario, Canada)
Cathi Quick (TX)
Wendy Reeves (OH)
Lori Schwartz-Reichl (MD)
WBDI's Professional Development Committee aims to provide members with professional development that is meaningful, effective, and approachable. These learning opportunities are applicable to women at all stages in their career. Professional development may include print resources, presentations, podcasts/interviews, and a resource collection specifically for WBDI members.
Scholarship Committee
CHAIR - Meijun Chen (Alberta, Canada)
CO-CHAIR - Shannon Shaker (MI)
Sarah Dunmire (WI)
Andrea Mack (MI)
Nikki Sanford (MI)
Courtney Umphlett (NC)
Braeden Weyhrich (IA)
WBDI provides annual scholarships to women enrolled in a college music program who intend to become band directors. A newer initiative is to give scholarships to WBDI members who seek to further their continuing education through attending conducting workshops or presenting at conferences. The Scholarship Committee is responsible for overseeing the application process and selection of scholarship recipients. Committee members must be able to dedicate time in their schedules during the month of November to review collegiate scholarship applications and select winners.
Social Media Committee
CHAIR - Emma Germann (IL)
Stacy Coker (SC)
Ruth Petersen (NC)
Kaitlyn Pineiro (TX)
M. J. Robinson (IN)
Maura Shepherd (IL)
Chelsea Zuniga (OK)
The Social Media Committee aims to engage and connect our members through relevant and important social media content. We also aim to share the benefits of WBDI membership and the accomplishments and endeavors of our members with future members and supporters of WBDI.
Summer Conference Committee
SUMMER CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
CO-CHAIR & SITE HOST - Chiyo Trauernicht (NE)
CO-CHAIR - Dr. Courtney Snyder (MI)
Pam Klena (MI)
Leah McGray (Ontario, Canada)
Ruth Petersen (NC)
M. J. Robinson (IN)
Shannon Shaker (MI)
WBDI gathers twice a year at The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the WBDI Summer Conference. This is the opportunity for the organization to welcome members both new and already active. The summer conference is an opportunity for members to gather in fellowship and professional development and get involved in the organization.This committee is involved in the planning of the annual summer conference.
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