Breaking the Silence: The Experiences of Female Band Directors

This presentation helps music educators, supervisors of music educators, and anyone with direct contact with music educators to understand what types of experiences sometimes occur daily in the lives of high school band directors who identify as female. The presenter will include qualitative and quantitative data on the experiences of female high school band directors (FHSBDs) based on four research studies. Common positive and negative experiences of thousands of participants will be discussed throughout, as well as experiences and quotes left by anonymous participants. Suggestions are provided on how to best support colleagues as well as oneself through difficult moments within the profession.

Amy J. Bovin is the Performance and Event Director for Animado Events, the Artistic Director for Dunedin Concert Band, and the President of the Florida Chapter of Women Band Directors International (WBDI). Previously, she taught high school band in Connecticut, worked with secondary bands across Utah, and was the Interim Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Javelina Marching Band at Texas A&M University in Kingsville. She completed a Ph.D. in Music Education at The Hartt School, and an M.M. in Instrumental Conducting, a B.A. in Music, and a B.S. in Education from the University of Connecticut. At the 2016 Midwest Clinic, she received the Citation of Merit from WBDI for outstanding contribution to band and band music and has served as President of Connecticut MEA, WBDI State Chair for Connecticut, a National Officer of Tau Beta Sigma, and is an honorary member of KKPsi.

NAfME presents this live virtual event at no charge to all as a service to the music education profession. To register, you must enter your NAfME member information or create a nonmember account. After registering, check your email for instructions. A recording of this program will be available to all registrants for one week following the live event. Members can also view archived NAfME webinars in the NAfME Academy.

The views expressed are those of the presenter; they do not necessarily reflect the views of NAfME.