Take Your Job and LOVE It: Reimagining Work-Life Balance
Clinic Synopsis:
This session was inspired by years of conversations with university music education students who craved discussion on their trepidations of work-life balance as they entered the teaching profession. Joined by their spouses, the presenters will present research on music teacher burnout, teacher attrition, family-friendly policy trends, as well as personal anecdotes of balancing work-life with young children.
Amy Acklin
- Biographical Information
Amy Acklin serves as Professor of Music and
Associate Director of Bands at the University of Louisville where she directs
the UofL Cardinal Marching Band, Pep Band, and Symphonic Band and teaches
courses in undergraduate conducting and music education. Under her direction,
the UofL Symphonic Band performed at the 2016 CBDNA Southern Division
Conference and the 2015 Kentucky Music Educators Association Professional
Conference. Previously, Dr. Acklin taught instrumental music in the California
public schools.
Dr. Acklin is an active conductor, clinician,
and adjudicator throughout the country. She serves as the National Band
Association KY State Chair and is a member of the John Philip Sousa Foundation
Legion of Honor Committee. Dr. Acklin is the recipient of the 2021 UofL
Distinguished Teacher Award, the 2019 KMEA College/University Teacher of the
Year Award, the NBA Citation of Excellence and an inductee of the Phi Beta Mu
International Bandmasters Fraternity and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor
Society.
Dr. Acklin's research focuses on the wind band
repertoire of Grawemeyer-award winning composers. She has publications in The Journal of Band Research, Update: Applications of Research in Music
Education, National Band Association Journal, Florida Music Director, and GIA’s “Teaching Music Through
Performance in Band” series. She holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from the
University of Louisville and a Ph.D. in Music Education/Instrumental Conducting
from The Florida State University.
Matthew McCutchen - Biographical Information
Matthew McCutchen has served on USF’s Music Faculty since 2009, first as the Director of Athletic Bands for nine years, and then as the Director of Bands since 2018. His responsibilities at USF include conducting the Wind Ensemble and teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in Conducting, Wind Band Literature, and Music Education.
McCutchen earned a Ph.D in Music Education with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University, a Master of Music in Conducting from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Furman University. Prior to coming to USF he taught middle school in Georgia, high school in Virginia, and served as an adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University for several semesters
McCutchen is active as a guest conductor, and clinician. He is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Florida Wind Band, and the Founder and Conductor of the Bay Area Youth (BAY) Winds, which features many of the finest high school musicians throughout the Tampa Area. He has been published in the National Band Association’s Journal, the 7th and 8th editions and the “Solos with Wind Band Accompaniment” editions of the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series, The Instrumentalist magazine, and the Florida Music Director. He is the Chair of the National Band Association/William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest Committee, is a member of the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor Selection Committee, and holds memberships in numerous national and statewide professional organizations.
Chad Acklin - Biographical Information
Chad Acklin is the Associate Director of Business Intelligence at Humana in Louisville, KY. He holds degrees from Georgetown College and Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also an ordained minister and has served in church ministry in California, Florida, and Kentucky.
Nash McCutchen - Biographical Information
Seven1Five Founder and Creative Director Nash McCutchen has more than 15 years’ experience in graphic design, marketing, content creation, and public relations. She established her business in 2019 after serving as the Marketing Manager for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay for eight years so that she could spend more time on her most important roles as wife and mother. While Nash has a passion for serving non-profit organizations, her skill, creativity, versatility, and varied interests allow her to tell stories from any vantage point. Current clients include the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, the National Band Association and Selling Sunsets Realty.
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