ATHENA HONOR BAND

A native of Queens, New York, Dr. Lia Snead has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia Southern University (formally Armstrong Atlantic State University) in Savannah, GA. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Snead was active within the community as a private trumpet instructor and as a brass instructor at Savannah State University. After graduation, she became the Director of Bands at Robert W. Groves High School, in Chatham County, GA where she revived the band program and led them to earn their first superior ratings at concert festival in over a decade. In 2014, Dr. Snead temporarily left the classroom to study conducting at Northern Illinois University with Dr. Ronnie Wooten, where she was both the music education and conducting graduate assistant. After graduation, she briefly returned to teaching in Chatham County before accepting a position as the Associate Director of Bands at Richmond Hill High School in Richmond Hill, GA. While there, the program consistently received straight superior ratings and won numerous awards at both concert and marching festivals. In 2023, Lia received a DMA from the University of South Carolina, where she studied with Dr. Cormac Cannon.

Dr. Lia Snead is active as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and performer. She also performed with the Savannah Wind Symphony where she served on the board of directors and frequently guest conducted. Dr. Snead is a member of the Iowa Music Educators Association (IMEA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the Minority Band Directors National Association (MBDNA), and Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority.

Lia is married to her college sweetheart, fellow musician, and PhD candidate at the University of South Carolina, Mr. Derrick Snead. Together, they have adopted an Old English Bulldog named Bruno.

Dr. Michquelena Ferguson (she/her) currently serves as the Associate Director of Athletic Bands at the Pennsylvania State University. In her role, she assists with the direction of the Penn State Marching Blue Band and the “Pride of the Lions” Pep Band, directs the Concert Band, teaches courses in music education and conducting, and supervises student teachers. 

Ferguson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Penn State, a Master of Music in Music Education from West Chester University, a Master of Business Administration from Alvernia University, and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Penn State.

Prior to returning to earn her doctorate and teach in higher education, Ferguson taught in the Pennsylvania Public Schools for ten years, primarily in high school instrumental music. Ferguson previously served as the Senior High School Band Director and Music Department K-12 Chairperson in the Exeter Township School District in Reading, PA. At Exeter Township, Ferguson was responsible for directing the marching band, the concert band, the auditioned wind ensemble, jazz bands, and teaching AP Music Theory and general music courses in popular music and music technology. 

Ferguson’s research interests include Title IX’s historical effects on women in collegiate athletic bands, investigating the role of women as leaders in music education, athletic band musicianship, and gender equity in collegiate marching bands. She has presented at state, national, and international music education conferences.

Ferguson lives in Bellefonte, PA with her husband and son.