Let’s talk about why music education is (still) the right career for you! In this session, presenters will provide time and space for attendees to reflect on their WHY; discuss mindsets that help educators thrive, despite challenges; and explore exciting opportunities that advance and enrich music education for teachers and the students they serve. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or an aspiring music educator, this session will inspire!
Paul Budde
- Biographical Information
Dr. Paul J. Budde is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he serves as both the Music Education Coordinator and the Department Chair for Music and Stage and Screen Arts (MUSASA). As an instructor, he teaches a variety of music and music education courses, serves as the applied tuba/euphonium instructor, and supervises student teachers. Previously, Budde served as an adjunct professor of music at colleges in and around the Twin Cities (MN) from 2004-2014, and he taught middle and high school band and general music in Wisconsin and Minnesota from 1993-2004. As an instructor, he is passionate about finding ways to blend the best of traditional music education with forward-looking ideas that align with the ever-changing needs of students in the 21st century. Budde currently serves as Immediate Past President for the Wisconsin Music Educators Association.
Dr. Budde, who currently lives in Lakeville, MN with his wife Kimberly and their four boys, earned a Bachelor of Music Education in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1993), a Master of Music in Tuba Performance from the University of Minnesota (2004), and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Minnesota (2011).
Erin Holmes launched her career at the beginning of the millennium by attaining a teaching position in Farmington Area Public Schools, District 192. As the Director of Bands at Farmington High School, Ms. Holmes conducts the Varsity Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz I, and is the head director of the award-winning Farmington Tiger Marching Band. She has a host of responsibilities at Farmington High School that include serving as the FHS Music Department Chair, developing curriculum, planning tours, hosting and attending band festivals, as well as being a devoted staff and team member of several building leadership positions such as a mentor for new teachers, and proudly serving on the Equity Leadership Team.
In 2017, School Band and Orchestra Magazine named Holmes one of the nation’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.” Most notably, in 2018, she was appointed Jazz Chair for the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), she is the first woman in the organization’s history to be chosen for this position and the 2022 recipient of the Schmitt Music Educator of the Year award.
Erin is also active as a director for honor bands, a clinician for numerous band and jazz festivals, an adjudicator for large group contest, solo & ensemble contest, and teaches master classes for saxophones for jazz and classical saxophone in the Twin Cities. She is a member of Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA), Minnesota Band Directors Association (MBDA), and Women Band Directors International (WBDI).