How do we age gracefully while continuing to make positive contributions in the music education profession? We will share insights covering pedagogy, leadership, philosophy, mentors and relationships from more than 50 successful music educators who are over 50.
It is my hope in sharing these findings that we can guide, inspire, support, and elevate our peers—both young and old to continue to teach, share, and thrive as music educators.
Sue Samuels
- Biographical Information
Dr. Samuels joined the faculty at Furman University in Greenville, SC, in 2019 as Director of Bands and Coordinator of Music Education Studies. In just her first year at Furman, the Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the South Carolina Music Educators State Conference, and the marching band was invited to perform at the 2021 St. Patrick's Day Festival and Parade in Dublin, Ireland. In addition, Dr. Samuels created the Furman Honor Band, which performed on campus in 2020 and virtually in 2021. Prior to Furman, she was Director of Visual and Performing Arts at Randolph School in Huntsville, Alabama and served for 14 years as Director of Bands at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Samuels’ teaching experience prior to her arrival at UAB includes 12 years at Lassiter High School in Marietta Georgia, 1 year as Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Georgia, and 2 years as Director of Bands at WT Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. Both the Lassiter and Woodson bands performed at the Bands of America National Concert Band Festival, and the Lassiter Band won the 1998 Marching Band Grand National Championships. Dr. Samuels was a part of both the 1989 and 1996 Lassiter Symphonic Band Midwest Clinic appearances.
In addition to her work as a band director, Dr. Samuels enjoys being a mom to her beautiful son, Andrew, whom she adopted from Ethiopia in 2010.