Empowering and Mentoring the Next Generation of Female Band Directors
Clinic Synopsis:
In the ever-changing wind band landscape, empowering and providing mentorship for the next generation of female band directors is imperative. Through a panel of experienced female band directors, we will discuss how to best support your students and provide exceptional mentorship.
Jerianne Larson
- Biographical Information
Jerianne Larson is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in wind conducting at the University of North Texas in Denton, where she currently serves as a graduate teaching fellow for the Wind Studies program and conducts the Concert Band. She studies conducting under Professor Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Dr. Andrew Trachsel, and Professor Amy Woody.Ms. Larson began her teaching career in the California Area School District (PA) where she instructed high school and middle school instrumental ensembles. She continued her teaching career at Yough School District (PA) where she directed the high school concert bands and multiple jazz ensembles. During her time at Yough, the concert bands earned consistent Superior ratings at assessment and the top jazz ensemble was invited to perform at the state capitol. During her time in Pennsylvania, Ms. Larson had the privilege of being a guest conductor, performer, adjudicator, and clinician in the greater Pittsburgh area. She served as region/state coordinator for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and was invited to present “Women in a Band World” at the 2022 PMEA Conference. Since moving to Texas, Ms. Larson has had the privilege of clinicing in the DFW area.Ms. Larson earned her Master of Music degree in wind conducting from Messiah University (PA), studying under Dr. Bradley Genevro, and her Bachelor of Music in music education degree from Westminster College (PA) where she studied with Dr. R. Tad Greig. Her affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, National Band Association, College Band Directors National Association, Women Band Directors International, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, and Texas Music Educators Association.
Amy Woody - Biographical Information
Amy Woody is Lecturer in Wind Studies and Director of Athletic Bands. She has completed coursework toward a doctor of musical arts in conducting with a related filed in clarinet performance from the University of North Texas. She served as a Teaching Fellow in the Wind Studies Area, and duties including teaching the Concert Band, University Bands, Fundamentals of Conducting and assisting with all aspects of concert and athletic ensembles. She was named one of four UNT Outstanding Teaching Fellow Award recipients for the 2022–2023 school year. Her teachers include Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Andrew Trachsel and Daniel Cook. Prior to UNT, Ms. Woody served as the Director of Bands (2014–2021) and Associate Director of Bands (2007–2014) at John H. Guyer High School in Denton, TX. The Guyer Wind Ensemble was named a Commended Winner in the 2021 Mark of Excellence New Music Category, a 2018 Mark of Excellence National Winner, and a 2018 Western International Band Conference Invited Ensemble in Seattle, Washington.
Recently, she served as the Chief Programs Officer for the Lone Star Wind Orchestra (LSWO), a professional wind band based in the DFW metroplex. She has performed in the clarinet section of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra since the fall of 2008. In her time with the ensemble she performed at the International Midwest Band and Orchestra Conference, International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC), World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensemble (WASBE), Texas Bandmaster’s Association (TBA), Clarinetfest, the OU Clarinet Symposium as well as other professional engagements in the DFW Area. Ms. Woody’s past performance engagements include the Richardson Symphony Orchestra, Waco Symphony Orchestra, and the Oswego Opera Orchestra.
Ms. Woody is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (Master of Music in Clarinet Performance) and Baylor University (Bachelor of Music Education).
Christi Blahnik - Biographical Information
Christi Blahnik is obtaining her Master's Degree in
Wind Conducting at the University of Michigan. Before pursuing her graduate
studies, she served as the Director of Bands at The Performing Arts Signature
Academy at Damonte Ranch High School in Reno, NV. Prior to this appointment,
Ms. Blahnik served as the Director of Bands and Choirs at Douglas High School.
During her eight years of teaching, Ms. Blahnik contributed to the teaching
community through her service as the Northern Zone Audition Coordinator, WCSD
Honor Band Chair, WCSD Band Benchmark Curriculum Committee Co-Chair, NMEA
All-State Band Chair, and Vice-President of the Nevada Music Educators
Association, the latter of whom awarded Ms. Blahnik the 2018 NMEA New Music
Educator of the Year Award. She is also active as an adjudicator, clinician,
presenter, and performer. Ms. Blahnik has participated in several Wind
Conducting Workshops as a Conducting Fellow with notable conductors including
Loras Schissel, Robert Page, Emily Threinen, Craig Kirchhoff, Mallory Thompson,
Robert Halseth, Reed Chamberlin, Rodney Dorsey, Jamie Nix, Don McKinney, Matt
Dockendorf, Eugene Corporon, Andrew Trachsel, and Daniel Cook. Ms. Blahnik
holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music
Degree in Clarinet Performance from Duquesne University.
Julia Hartnett - Biographical Information
Julia Hartnett currently serves as the Middle School Band Director, YIMS Jazz Band Director and High School Marching Band Instructor in the Yough School District (Herminie, PA). Mrs. Hartnett served as the Assistant Band Director for the Yough High School Marching Band from 2018-2022 and as the Assistant Band Director at Penn Hills School District (Penn Hills, PA) from 2012-2017. Mrs. Hartnett’s affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA), and Westmoreland County Music Educators Association (WCMEA). In addition to her teaching duties, Mrs. Hartnett currently serves as WCMEA President. Mrs. Hartnett regularly organizes and hosts district and regional festivals for PMEA and WCMEA. She presented a workshop at the PMEA State Conference in April 2022 titled Women in a Bands World. She followed that success by hosting a workshop for PMEA at Seton Hill University in February 2023 titled You Can Host a Festival Too!. Mrs.Hartnett holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Seton Hill University (Greensburg, PA) as well as a Masters of Educational Leadership from Penn State University (State College, PA). Mrs. Hartnett is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and a graduate of Penn Hills High School in Penn Hills, PA.
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