Leading with Grace Notes - Conversations from the Podium

S2 Ep3 A Conversation with Dr. Bridgette Bell

In Episode 3 of Season 2, Leading with Grace Notes welcomes Dr. Bridgette Bell, an accomplished educator and administrator whose journey in music education is rooted in perseverance, purpose, and leadership. Dr. Bell reflects on her early years as a musician, including her experience as a young girl playing the tuba, an instrument not often associated with women. She shares how those formative experiences shaped her confidence, identity, and commitment to excellence. In this conversation, Dr. Bell discusses how Morgan State played a pivotal role in her personal and professional development and laid the foundation for her career in music education. Listeners will also hear about Dr. Bell’s transition from band director to educational administration, as she shares insights on leadership, mentorship, and navigating career shifts while staying grounded in one’s musical roots. This episode highlights the importance of representation, resilience, and intentional leadership, offering inspiration for educators, students, and administrators alike.

S2 Ep2 A Conversation with Dr. Myra Rhoden

Leading with Purpose: A Conversation with Dr. Myra Rhoden In this episode of Leading with Grace Notes: Conversations from the Podium, we’re joined by Dr. Myra Rhoden, founder of the Association of Black Women Band Directors and the Athena Music and Leadership Camp. Dr. Rhoden shares how her upbringing in Tuskegee instilled a sense of pride, purpose, and perseverance that continues to shape her work today. We explore her commitment to teaching leadership to young women, the power of community, and the pivotal moment that sparked the creation of the Athena Camp, when her husband asked a simple but challenging question: “What are you going to do about it?” after she noticed young girls’ surprise at seeing a woman on the podium. This conversation is a heartfelt look at what it means to turn challenges into opportunities, lead with intention and build spaces that inspire confidence and connection in the next generation of musicians.

S2 Ep 1 A Conversation with Stephanie K. Sanders

We’re kicking off Season 2 of Leading with Grace Notes: Conversations from the Podium with a powerhouse guest , Stephanie K. Sanders, Assistant Director of Bands and Jazz Band Director at Norfolk State University. In this episode, Stephanie shares her journey from saxophone-obsessed fourth grader to trailblazing bassoonist, jazz saxophonist, educator, and mentor. We talk about the teachers who shaped her, the power of letting students choose their instruments, her 25 years at Norfolk State, and how she guides the next generation of music educators and performers. If you need inspiration to keep pushing, teaching, and leading with heart, this conversation is for you!

Ep 6 A Conversation with Nikki Wylie

In this episode of "Leading with Grace Notes," we sit down with Nikki Wylie, an inspiring band director who turned a small, under-resourced program into a thriving success. Nikki shares her journey of perseverance, from buying instruments out of her own pocket to leading a large, growing band. She discusses her innovative approach to teaching, blending traditional methods with modern technology, and the power of social media to engage students in unique ways. Tune in to hear how her background in the military and as a firefighter shaped her leadership and resilience, helping her adapt under pressure.

Ep 5 A Conversation with Cybil Haskins

Welcome to Leading with Grace Notes - Conversations from the Podium, a podcast from the Association of Black Women Band Directors. In this episode, our guest, Cybil Haskins shares her journey from criminal justice major to band director and ultimately, college professor. She shares some great advice for new band directors who are taking over established programs.