Candidate Erin Bodnar

University of North Florida
Director of Bands

Biographical Information

My first involvement with CBDNA was at the 2008 Southwestern Division Conference at UMKC. I, along with two other graduate students from UNT, were sent to help the UMKC graduate students. This early experience with CBDNA was transformative, strengthening my commitment to collegiate band education and establishing a connection to the organization that has remained central to my professional growth and service.

The following year, in 2009, I had the honor of performing with the UNT Wind Symphony at the National Conference held in Austin, TX, further fortifying my connection with CBDNA. In 2011, I helped host the National Conference at the University of Washington as a doctoral student. While the majority of the organizational work was led by my colleague Vu Nguyen, I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to an event that brought together and served the exceptional professionals who define this distinguished organization.

More recently, I had the opportunity to serve as the Florida Chair from August 2022 to January 2024. In 2022, the UNF NuMIX ensemble, which I co-direct, was honored with an invitation to perform at the Southern Division Conference in Columbia, SC. Additionally, I have been a consistent attendee of national and divisional conferences, and have presented at two divisional conferences.

Through opportunities such as co-chairing the 2016 North Central Division Small College Intercollegiate Band and contributing to the development of the Guidebook for the Small Collegiate Band Program, I have worked to support students, faculty, and institutions across the collegiate band profession. These experiences provided valuable insight into the diverse needs of our membership and reinforced my belief that CBDNA is at its strongest when it creates opportunities for inclusion, collaboration, and professional growth.

As a Visiting Professor in the Western/Northwestern Division this year, I had the opportunity to attend the divisional conference in Reno. Experiencing another division’s conference reinforced the value of engaging with colleagues beyond our own region and provided valuable insight into different approaches to conference programming, leadership, and member engagement. The experience broadened my perspective on CBDNA’s work across the country, and I intend to continue attending and presenting at conferences in other divisions whenever possible.

I currently serve as one of the Members-at-Large on the CBDNA Board of Directors. Through this role, I have gained a deeper understanding of the association’s structure, governance, and ongoing initiatives, as well as the opportunities and challenges facing our membership. It has been a privilege to serve CBDNA at the national level, and I look forward to continuing that service with a more direct focus on the Southern Division, supporting its members while helping advance the mission and goals of the organization.

Vision for the Future of CBDNA

The College Band Directors National Association has played a central role in my professional life, providing opportunities for leadership, mentorship, scholarship, and collaboration that have shaped my work as an educator and conductor. As a candidate for Southern Division President- Elect, I am committed to building upon the strong foundation established by our current and past leaders while advancing initiatives that strengthen connections within and beyond our organization.

My involvement with CBDNA has given me the opportunity to serve in leadership roles, including as a Member-at-Large on the national board. Through this service, I have gained a broader understanding of our organization and the challenges and opportunities facing collegiate band programs across the country. I have also attended conferences in multiple divisions, including the Western/Northwestern Division Conference this past year, which provided valuable perspective on different approaches to conference programming, engagement, and member service. These experiences have broadened my perspective on CBDNA’s work across the country and provided ideas that I hope to bring to my service within the Southern Division while contributing to the continued success of the association as a whole.

Throughout my service to CBDNA, I have worked to support our members through committee leadership, collaborative projects, and initiatives designed to foster engagement and professional growth. These experiences have reinforced my belief that CBDNA is at its strongest when it serves as both a professional home for collegiate band directors and a catalyst for broader partnerships across the music education community.

A particular priority for me is strengthening relationships between CBDNA and secondary music educators. The vitality of collegiate bands is directly connected to the health of school music programs. By fostering stronger partnerships with secondary music educators and organizations such as NAfME, the National Band Association, and state music educator and band associations, we can create additional opportunities for dialogue, mentorship, advocacy, and collaborative programming. The longstanding collaboration between CBDNA and the National Band Association at our Southern Division biennial conference serves as an excellent model for these partnerships and demonstrates the value of bringing together educators from across educational and professional settings.

I believe CBDNA is strongest when it actively collaborates with peer and international organizations. Strengthening relationships with organizations such as CODA, ACDA, and WASBE creates opportunities to address shared challenges, exchange ideas, and explore innovative approaches to music-making, leadership, pedagogy, commissioning, and research. By fostering these connections, we can promote collaboration across disciplines and borders, creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth, cultural exchange, and global engagement that benefit our members and the students they serve.

Above all, my vision for the Southern Division is one of connection: connecting colleagues across institutions, connecting higher education with public school music education, connecting organizations with shared missions, and connecting our work to the broader international wind band community. By building on the accomplishments of those who have led before us and embracing new opportunities for collaboration, we can ensure that CBDNA remains a vibrant, forward-looking organization that supports excellence in teaching, scholarship, artistry, and service.

I would be honored to serve the members of the Southern Division and to work alongside colleagues in advancing our combined vision for the future of CBDNA.