Clinician Detail

The Importance Of Creating A Culture Of Excellence In Your Ensemble

Clinic Synopsis:

There is a “culture” in your classroom, whether you’ve intended it or not, and it impacts every aspect of your program. This session offers meaningful and practical methods to create a culture of excellence in your program where students feel loved and accepted while inviting students to contribute to that culture. Topics include building connection and community, how to create your culture of excellence and creating a servant leadership mindset in your program.

Matthew Arau - Biographical Information

Dr. Matthew Arau, author of Upbeat! Mindset, Mindfulness, and Leadership in Music Education and Beyond and founder of Upbeat Global, is an Associate Professor of Music and the Chair of the Music Education Department and Symphonic Band Conductor at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Dr. Arau serves as the Leadership Editor for GIA Publications, Director of Community Engagement for SLAM (Servant Leadership Association for Music), faculty member of the American Band College, and as a Conn-Selmer Education Clinician. Dr. Arau has guest conducted and presented clinics on leadership, mindfulness, growth mindset, rehearsal techniques, and creating positive cultures in person in 35 states and 4 continents in person. He has presented and/or keynoted at the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic several times, the Western International Band Clinic, the NAfME National Conference, numerous State and Regional Music Education Association Conferences, the ACDA Next Direction Conference, the ASTA Virtual String Teachers Summit, and the Conn-Selmer Institute. Thousands of high school students have attended his Upbeat Leadership Academies across the country to develop their leadership skills and reach for their fullest potential. In addition to being in demand as a keynote speaker, presenter, and professional development facilitator, Dr. Arau has conducted honor bands in Australia, Greece, Cyprus, and Malaysia, and All-State honor bands across the United States. Dr. Arau draws on a deep reservoir of fifteen years of experience as a successful middle school and high school band director in Loveland, Colorado, where he led his bands at Walt Clark Middle School and Loveland High School to numerous honor performances and championships and pioneered the Leadership Symposium.

Cecilia Clark - Biographical Information

Cecilia Clark is the Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Cartersville, Georgia. She attended Duquesne University and received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Ms. Clark's professional experience includes Director of Bands at Allatoona High School in Acworth, GA and Assistant Band Director at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA where she also served as Fine Arts Department Chair. Prior to joining the faculty at McEachern, Ms. Clark was the Director of Bands at Deer Lakes High School and Thomas Jefferson High School. She also taught beginning band in the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Ms. Clark has served as a percussion consultant and technician for several schools including Norwin Senior High School in North Huntingdon, PA. She was also the Front Ensemble Instructor for the General Butler Vagabonds Drum Corps and the Pit Caption Head for Conquest Percussion and Project Percussion Independent Open and World Class WGI Finalists. Ms. Clark is an active adjudicator, guest conductor and clinician. She has served on the Review Committee for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and as a member of NAfME Band Advisory Committee and Collegiate Council. She is now a member of the Music for All Educational Advisory Team and the Leadership Faculty for Music for All Summer Symposium. Ms. Clark is currently President of SLAM - The Servant Leadership Association for Music. Her professional affiliations include the NAfME, GMEA, PAS, NBA, ASBDA, WBDI and Mu Phi Epsilon. Ms. Clark is married to Patrick Clark, Band Director at McCleskey Middle School.

Jonathan Glawe - Biographical Information

Jonathan Glawe (from Waterloo, Iowa) is currently the Director of Orchestras at GRAMMY Award-winning Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Kansas and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon. Prior to his time in Oregon, Glawe taught in the Darien Public Schools in Darien, Connecticut. Currently in his 15th year at Pioneer High School, Glawe has played an important role in the their return to the GRAMMY Signature School list, in which the Pioneer Music Department was honored as one of the top 3 music programs in the nation in 2010 and 2015, and earned the honor of being the National GRAMMY Signature School in 2011. Glawe performed with the Pioneer Symphony Orchestra at the Midwest Music Clinic in 2017, and took his conductorless chamber orchestra to the National Orchestra Festival in 2013, at which the group took home top honors. Glawe was recognized as MSBOA District 12 Orchestra Director of the Year in 2011, 2013 and 2015. He was a finalist for the Michigan Orchestra Director of the Year in 2012. He was selected as the Michigan String Teacher of the Year award from the American String Teachers Association in 2021. Glawe is also a proud member, co- curriculum chair, and orchestra representative for the Servant Leadership Association For Music, an organization founded in the Fall of 2021. He has also recently joined Conn-Selmer Music Education Division as a clinician. He currently resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife Rebecca Hunter, DMA, and their 3 spirited children.