What Do I Do When I Hear THAT?
Clinic Synopsis:
Band directors have the enormous task of teaching students with diverse needs on an array of instruments. This clinic provides tips and tricks for band directors to use in their classrooms to improve performance fundamentals for any student- regardless of grade level. Through audio examples and audience participation opportunities, attendees will leave this clinic with an expanded “toolkit” of individual and ensemble-based strategies for immediate application in their classrooms.
Ajori Spencer
- Biographical Information
Ajori B. Spencer is the PK-12 Performing Arts Specialist for
Pinellas County Schools, the eighth largest school district in the State of
Florida, where he oversees music, theatre, and dance programs. He holds degrees
in music education from Florida State University and educational leadership
from the University of West Florida. Prior to his work as performing arts
supervisor, he was Director of Bands at Madeira Beach Fundamental School and
Pinellas Park Middle School. Ensembles under Mr. Spencer’s leadership were
consistently cited for their attention to detail and musicality. In December
2019, the MBFS Wind Ensemble performed at the 20th Annual Southeastern United
States Middle School Band Clinic in Troy, Alabama. Mr. Spencer remains active
as a guest conductor and clinician throughout Florida and as a private
saxophone instructor.
Andrew Bohn - Biographical Information
Andrew Bohn is currently a PhD student in Music Education and graduate assistant at Michigan State University. A native of Florida, he also holds degrees in music education from the University of Michigan and Florida State University. Prior to beginning doctoral work, Andrew taught middle school band and orchestra in St. Petersburg, Florida for many years. In addition to full-time teaching, he also coordinated all-county middle school bands and jazz bands, adjudicated all-state auditions, and taught summer music camps, in addition to being a clinician in many instrumental music classrooms. He has presented research and conference sessions in Florida, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, and Mississippi, including The Midwest Clinic. He is passionate about teaching students from all backgrounds and believes that anyone can make music, if given equitable access to appropriate opportunities and resources.
Daniel Taylor - Biographical Information
Daniel Taylor is currently a PhD student in Music Education at the University of Michigan. He taught middle school band and general music in Florida for nine years and was most recently the band director at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School in Saint Petersburg, FL. While teaching there, the band program grew to 270 students spread across multiple beginning, concert, and jazz ensembles. The students in his programs consistently earned superior ratings at all district performance assessments. He graduated summa cum laude from Florida State University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and the Ohio State University in 2021 with an MA in Music Education. He remains active in school music programs as an adjudicator and clinician. His research interests include education policy and advocacy, equitable access to music enrollment for children, and teacher preparation for modern-day public schools.
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