What’s Next? Do We Ever Really Retire? Navigating Life After the Band and Orchestra Classroom
Clinic Synopsis:
Retirement marks a meaningful transition for band and orchestra teachers—one that opens the door to new opportunities to stay connected to music, leadership, and community impact. This session explores fulfilling post-retirement pathways that build on the skills music educators have developed over a lifetime.
Georgia Ekonomou
- Biographical Information
Georgia Lambros Ekonomou is the former Director of Orchestras at the Paideia School and the Lovett Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the recipient of the Lovett School’s Woodward Award for excellence in teaching and the 2017 Georgia/ASTA Lifetime Achievement Award in honor and recognition of her contribution to musical excellence in the state of Georgia. In 2024, she was awarded the Presidential Service Award by the American String Teachers Association for her contributions at both the national and state level to ASTA.
In 2006, Ekonomou founded the Emory Junior Chamber Orchestra, where she served as Artistic Director and Conductor. She returns to Emory this season as conductor of the Emory Youth Chamber Orchestra. She is active throughout the United States as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator.
A violinist, she has performed with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, the Woman’s Jazz Orchestra of Los Angeles, the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, the Atlanta Chamber Orchestra, the Emory Chamber Players, and other ensembles in the Atlanta area.
Cathie Hudnall - Biographical Information
Dr. Catherine Hudnall holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati, Georgia State University, and Mercer University. She is an Orchestra Director at North Gwinnett Middle School and is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. She was the teacher of the year at Norcross High School and received the American String Teachers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Hudnall is a regular conductor, adjudicator and clinician for honor ensembles and all-state orchestras throughout the country. She served as an adjudicator for the National ASTA Orchestra Festival in 2019. She is active in ASTA as a mentor, a member of the Emeritus committee, and a member of the Editorial Board for the AST Magazine.
Paula Crider - Biographical Information
Paula A. Crider, Professor Emerita, The University of Texas, is an internationally recognized guest conductor, lecturer, clinician and adjudicator. She has enjoyed engagements in 47 states and 9 foreign countries. Dr. Crider is Past President of the National Band Association and The American Bandmasters’ Association. She serves as Senior Educational Consultant for Conn-Selmer, Inc.,has served as Director of Music for the London’s New Year's Day Parade, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Midwest Clinic. Awards and honors include: The Distinguished Service to Music Award, two “Eyes of Texas” Awards for distinguished teaching, Phi Beta Mu International Hall of Fame, the Sudler Legion of Merit, Texas Bandmaster of the Year, and the Midwest Medal of Honor.
Nola Jones - Biographical Information
Dr. Nola Jones, a veteran music educator for over 25 years, has served as Director of Educational Programs for Conn-Selmer Inc. as well as Director of Visual and Performing Arts for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to providing support for over 400 arts education specialists, Dr. Jones helped structure and implement Music Makes Us, a public/private partnership among Metro Nashville Public Schools, the mayor’s office, and music industry and community leaders in Nashville.
Bill Bitter - Biographical Information
Bill Bitter has served with Gilbert Public Schools in Gilbert, Arizona, where he taught orchestra and band at the elementary through high school levels. Mr. Bitter is an experienced adjudicator and clinician whose ensembles have performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has held numerous leadership roles with the Arizona Band and Orchestra Directors Association and has served as a conductor with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Mesa, Arizona. In addition, he spent nine years on the staff of the National High School Honors Orchestra, sponsored by ASTA with NSOA, including service as organizing chair in 2005. His professional honors include being named Arizona Music Educator of the Year by the Arizona Music Educators Association in 2014 and receiving the Elizabeth A. H. Green School Educator Award from the American String Teachers Association in 2015.
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