Full Name
Cassandra Bechard
Job Title
Director of Bands & Associate Professor of Music, University of Northwestern-St. Paul
Company
University of Northwestern—St. Paul
Speaker Bio
Dr. Cassandra Bechard serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at
University of Northwestern – St. Paul and artistic director and conductor of the Seward Concert
Band in Minneapolis. In 2022, Bechard was recognized as one of Yamaha's "40-under 40" music educators. She is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, presenter, and advocate for new wind band music. As a school clinician, Bechard actively visits middle school and high school band programs. She has guest-conducted several regional middle and high school all-state and honor bands. Internationally, Bechard served as guest conductor for the ACSI Europe Honor Instrumental Ensemble in Budapest, Hungary, in 2023.
As a presenter, Bechard has led sessions on various topics at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Minnesota Music Educators Association, Iowa Bandmasters Association, South
Dakota Bandmasters Association and Idaho Bandmasters Association.
Bechard earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota (2019), Master of
Music from Bowling Green State University (2011), and Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance from Central Michigan University (2009).
University of Northwestern – St. Paul and artistic director and conductor of the Seward Concert
Band in Minneapolis. In 2022, Bechard was recognized as one of Yamaha's "40-under 40" music educators. She is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, presenter, and advocate for new wind band music. As a school clinician, Bechard actively visits middle school and high school band programs. She has guest-conducted several regional middle and high school all-state and honor bands. Internationally, Bechard served as guest conductor for the ACSI Europe Honor Instrumental Ensemble in Budapest, Hungary, in 2023.
As a presenter, Bechard has led sessions on various topics at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Minnesota Music Educators Association, Iowa Bandmasters Association, South
Dakota Bandmasters Association and Idaho Bandmasters Association.
Bechard earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Minnesota (2019), Master of
Music from Bowling Green State University (2011), and Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance from Central Michigan University (2009).
Speaking At
