The Countdown is on for the 2025 Survivor Workshops!

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Attention New Veteran Future Band Directors!

Saied Survivor Workshops are a one-of-a-kind workshop experience providing the new or young music educator essential tools for survival in the wild world of today’s music education classroom.

Sessions include real world topics that describe battle-tested strategies and tricks to survive the challenges in today’s classroom, all from Music Ed warriors who have lived to tell the tales and pass on their well-earned wisdom.

Participants will engage with their peers in guided discussions meant to uncover individual areas of opportunity for growth. Each educator will leave with a customized “toolbox” of strategies and a new network of peers and experts to lean on.

Van Alstyne, TX - Tuesday, June 3

Tulsa Midtown - Friday, June 6

Conway/Hendrix - Monday, June 9

Register Early to Guarantee your seat!

Meet Your Clinicians!

Van Alstyne High School Band Room
700 Collin McKinney Pkwy
Van Alstyne, TX 75495

Clinicians

Aaron Snipes III

Highlights:

Head Band Director, Braswell HS (grew from 70 to 220 students)
Master’s from UNT, Bachelor’s from FSU
National winner of Mark of Excellence
BOA Finalist and Grand Champion Marching Band

Bio:
Aaron Snipes, III was born in Frankfurt, Germany and is a native of Americus, Georgia. From a very young age, Mr. Snipes began to cultivate his musical gifts and talents and by age 5 was playing the piano, even before he could reach the pedals. These musical beginnings only grew and multiplied throughout his grade school education.
After graduating high school in the top percentage of his class, Mr. Snipes attended the prestigious Florida State University College of Music where he earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree. He later earned his Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas.
Mr. Snipes is the head band director of Braswell High School in the Denton ISD. Since moving to Braswell HS, the Braswell HS band has grown from 70 students to its current size of approximately 220 students. The Braswell Bands have consistently earned Superior Sweepstakes ratings at UIL events in the areas of concert & marching band and recently were named as a National Winner of the coveted Mark of Excellence Honors. The Braswell Wind Symphony was also selected and invited to perform at the 2023 Music for All National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Braswell Marching Band is a BOA regional finalist and has won numerous grand championships over the past few years.

Justin Cooper

Highlights:

Instrument Repair Coordinator, UNT
Adjunct Professor of Brass Instrument Repair
Former co-owner of C&C Band Repair
Former Saied Music educational rep

Bio:
Justin Cooper is a Musical Instrument Repair Coordinator and adjunct professor for brass instrument repair at the University of North Texas. Before working at UNT, he was co-owner of C & C Band Instrument Repair and worked as an educational representative for Saied Music Company.
Justin received a B.M. in Performance (trombone) from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

Doug Fulwood

Highlights:

Director of Fine Arts, Royse City ISD
Leads nationally recognized K–12 music programs
NAMM “Best Community for Music Education” designee
Clinician, drill designer, adjudicator

Bio:
Doug Fulwood is the Director of Fine Arts for Royse City Independent School District in Royse City, Texas, a position he has held since being promoted to full-time director in 2019.
Mr. Fulwood’s leadership has contributed to Royse City ISD being recognized as a Best Community for Music Education by the National Association for Music Merchants, reflecting the district’s commitment to excellence in K–12 music and fine arts programs.
In addition to his administrative and teaching roles, Fulwood is active statewide as a clinician, consultant, drill designer and adjudicator.

Marcia Neel

Highlights:

Senior Director of Education, Yamaha
President, Music Education Consultants Inc.
37+ years in music education leadership
Led Clark County (Las Vegas) program with 55,000+ students

Bio:
Marcia Neel is a distinguished figure in music education, recognized for her extensive contributions to the field. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Education for Yamaha Corporation of America and is a Yamaha Master Educator. Additionally, she is the president of Music Education Consultants Inc., an organization dedicated to enhancing music education programs across the United States.
With a career spanning over 37 years, Neel has directed successful music programs in Connecticut, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Notably, as the Secondary Fine Arts Coordinator for the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, she led the district’s music education program to enroll over 55,000 students across 56 middle and 38 high schools. Her efforts in recruitment and retention have been instrumental in expanding access to music education.
Beyond her administrative roles, Neel is an active advocate for music education at local, state, and national levels. She has served in leadership positions within organizations such as the Nevada Music Educators Association and the Nevada Choral Directors Association.

Saied Music Company
Midtown Location
3259 S Yale Ave
Tulsa, OK 74135

Clinicians

Dr. Alexandra Zacharella

Highlights:

Director of Band & Professor of Music – Low Brass, University of Arkansas-Fort Smith
Doctorate from USC Thornton School of Music
Dual bachelor’s in trombone performance and music education
Leadership roles in College Music Society, International Conductors Guild, and CBDNA

Bio:
Dr. Alexandra Zacharella is the Director of Band and Professor of Music – Low Brass at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. A native of New Jersey, she holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in trombone performance from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, with minors in conducting, music education, and jazz studies, as well as a Master of Music in trombone performance from the University of Michigan and dual bachelor’s degrees in trombone performance and music education from The Hartt School, University of Hartford.
Her leadership extends to service as President of the South-Central Chapter of the College Music Society, Awards Chair and Board Member of the International Conductors Guild, and advisory roles within the College Music Society and College Band Directors National Association.

Dr. Michael Raiber

Highlights:

Director of Fine Arts, Mustang Public Schools
42 years in education (public school + university)
Former faculty at OU and OKCU
Presenter on music teacher identity and student leadership

Bio:
Dr. Michael Raiber is the Director of Fine Arts for Mustang Public Schools in Mustang, OK. This school year, he began his 42nd year as a professional educator, with 13 years of experience teaching public school in Missouri and Oklahoma, followed by 25 years in state university positions at The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma City University.
Dr. Raiber has an extensive record of presenting at national and international conferences on topics such as music teacher identity and student leadership development. He holds a Bachelor and Master of Music Education from the University of Tulsa and a Ph.D. in music education with an emphasis in conducting from the University of Oklahoma.

Dr. Peter Boonshaft

Highlights:

Director of Education, Jupiter Band Instruments
Professor Emeritus of Music at Hofstra University
Author of Teaching Music with Passion, Purpose, and Promise
Co-author of Sound Innovations method series

Bio:
Dr. Peter Boonshaft is a distinguished figure in music education, renowned for his dynamic approach to teaching and conducting. He serves as the Director of Education for Jupiter Band Instruments and is a Professor Emeritus of Music at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
Dr. Boonshaft holds a Bachelor of Music (Summa Cum Laude), a Master of Music Education in Conducting, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He has also earned a Certificate from the Kodály Musical Training Institute through a Connecticut General Fellowship. Before his tenure at Hofstra University, he was on the faculty of Moravian College and the University of Hartford.
He founded and served as Music Director for the Pennsylvania Youth Honors Concert Band and the Connecticut Valley Youth Wind Ensemble and held the position of Music Director and Conductor of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony of Boston.
He is the author of several influential books and co-author of the Sound Innovations method book series. His weekly “Boonshaft’s Blog” offers insights and inspiration for music educators worldwide.

Doug Fulwood

Highlights:

Director of Fine Arts, Royse City ISD
Leads nationally recognized K–12 music programs
NAMM “Best Community for Music Education” designee
Clinician, drill designer, adjudicator

SLTC/Worsham South Hendrix College
1600 Washington Ave
Conway, AR 72032

Clinicians

Dr. Gregory L. Denson

Highlights:

Director of Bands, Cheek Middle School (280+ students)
Doctorate in Music Education from Georgia State University
Conn Selmer VIP and DEIA leader in GMEA
Eastman Educational Ambassador

Bio:
Gregory L. Denson is presently the Director of Bands at Cheek Middle School in Prosper, TX in the Denton Independent School District. The Cheek MS program consists of 2 concert ensembles, a jazz band, and an active percussion program. The program serves over 280 students in 6th through 8th grade.
Dr. Denson is a native of Morven, Georgia, and holds a Bachelor of Music from Morehouse College, a Master of Music Education with teacher certification from The Florida State University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from Georgia State University.
Denson has studied with David Morrow, Uzee Brown, Andre Thomas, Richard Clary, Clifford Madsen, Steve Kelly, Kimberly VanWeelden, Pat Meighan, Clarence Johnson, and Gholnescar Muhammad.
He has presented clinics at the Midwest Clinic, GMEA In-Service Conference, and a host of professional development sessions. He is a Conn Selmer VIP, served as the Chair of the Georgia Music Educators Association Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Committee, and serves on the Executive Board of the Minority Band Directors National Association.
Dr. Denson is active as an adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician and is an Educational Ambassador for the Eastman Music Company.

Doug Fulwood

Highlights:

Director of Fine Arts, Royse City ISD
Leads nationally recognized K–12 music programs
NAMM “Best Community for Music Education” designee
Clinician, drill designer, adjudicator

Dr. W. Dale Warren

Highlights:

Senior Wind Band Conductor, University of Arkansas
Directed Razorback Marching Band (1991–2000)
Ensembles performed at Carnegie Hall and six CBDNA appearances
Taught at both high school and collegiate levels

Bio:
Dr. W. Dale Warren is a distinguished American conductor and educator, currently serving as the Senior Wind Band Conductor and Professor of Music at the University of Arkansas. With over three decades of experience at the university, he has conducted various ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Chamber Winds, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Varsity Band, and Campus Band.
Additionally, he teaches music education courses, supervises music education interns, and is actively involved in the graduate instrumental conducting program.
Under his leadership, the UA Wind Symphony made six guest appearances at College Band Directors National Association Conventions and performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The Razorback Marching Band, which he directed from 1991 to 2000, performed numerous times for former President Bill Clinton, including the 1992 Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Warren received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Austin Peay State University and a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Kentucky. He began his teaching career in Kentucky high schools before joining the University of Kentucky as the Associate Band Director from 1986 to 1991.