Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Fall 2023 15 am passionate about women in the fine arts and have been extremely lucky to be offered scholarships and grants that have allowed me to further my education. ese include grants and scholarships from the professional music fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota, which has a Philanthropy branch that offers many financial support possibilities for female musicians. I also received a grant through the Pennsylvania Music Educator Association of which I am a member. ese are just a few of the financial supports available, but others include scholarships and fellowships from Women Band Directors International, the Taki Alsop Conducting Fellowship, and e Linda and Mitch Hart Institute for Women Conductors. Sharing information about these with young female students and conductors can help provide them with the training and education to continue on their conducting journey. In addition to these mentorship and financial supports, I also have had great colleagues, professors, as well as my own students who cheer me on. I am lucky to have a community that encourages me to continue my journey as a conductor and self advocate for myself. However, I know not everyone has this same environment. No matter your gender or position, encourage the female conductors around you and be part of that community of empowerment. ere are also many organizations that are devoted specifically to furthering women in music to help build that supportive community and share educational resources. Some of those that include the conducting arts as well as music making in general include Girls Who Conduct, the La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors, Women Rising to the Podium, Key of She Jazz, Women Band Directors International, the International Women's Brass Conference, the Women's International Music Network, Girls Make Beats, Amplify Her Voice, and many more. Many of these groups offer masterclasses, female directories, mentorship programs, and education programs and resources. Additionally, the Athena Music Leadership Camp is an experience for female middle and high school students to empower them as leaders and encourage musical excellence. Encouraging female musicians to be a part of these groups as well as supporting them can help create the environments for them to feel confident in continuing with their profession. One of the most amazing ways to help in the empowerment of female conductors is mentorship and visibility. Inviting female conductors to direct clinics, lead a rehearsal, work with students, adjudicate for festivals, and be a part of young students' music making can begin changing the perceptions of typically having a male band director. is also opens the door for young females to seek these directors or others out as mentors. Mentorship has proven extremely effective, especially having a mentor who understands your specific needs in your gender. Rather than having more drop outs in male dominated careers, programs that offer mentorship for women give them the encouragement and knowledge they need to continue. A study by Cornell University found that "...retention and promotion rates for women participating in mentoring programs increased from 15 percent to 38 percent." I was recently part of an Early Career Mentorship through the organization Girls Who Conduct (GWC). It was one of the most amazing experiences for me having someone I could talk with that has faced the same obstacles as me and had a plethora of knowledge and advice as well as encouragement. GWC offers these programs for both high schoolers and young conductors in college or already in the music profession. While there have been many efforts and growth made, the work is not done until it is a norm to have a conductor of any gender on the podium. I firmly believe anyone can make music of some sort and that anyone that has the skills and drive to conduct should be given fair opportunities regardless of gender. "We're not a different breed. Conducting has to do with brain, ear, imagination, experience, and personality. And all those are equal in women or men — and are absolutely different from one person to the other." —Alondra de la Parra, music director of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra Ashley Matse is the Director of Bands at California Area School District and holds a masters degree in instrumental conducting from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She is an alumna of the Zeta Upsilon Chapter and currently serves as Chi C Province Officer. Cducting Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hyatt Regency Minneapolis 1300 Nicollet Mall 1300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota July 17-21, 2025 July 17-21, 2025 Our 51st convention will be at this "sleek, contemporary Our 51st convention will be at this "sleek, contemporary hotel situated on Nicollet Mall, in the heart of downtown hotel situated on Nicollet Mall, in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. Nicollet Mall is a twelve block concentrated Minneapolis. Nicollet Mall is a twelve block concentrated cluster of the finest restaurants, pubs, parks, businesses cluster of the finest restaurants, pubs, parks, businesses and retail shops…offering a green, vibrant, pedestrian and retail shops…offering a green, vibrant, pedestrian friendly experience to explore Downtown Minneapolis and friendly experience to explore Downtown Minneapolis and the Mississippi River front." (Hyatt Regency Minneapolis) the Mississippi River front." (Hyatt Regency Minneapolis) We can't wait to see you there! We can't wait to see you there! Hyatt Regency Minneapolis Hyatt Regency Minneapolis 1300 Nicollet Mall 1300 Nicollet Mall Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota July 17-21, 2025 July 17-21, 2025 Our 51st convention will be at this "sleek, contemporary Our 51st convention will be at this "sleek, contemporary hotel situated on Nicollet Mall, in the heart of downtown hotel situated on Nicollet Mall, in the heart of downtown Minneapolis. Nicollet Mall is a twelve block concentrated Minneapolis. Nicollet Mall is a twelve block concentrated cluster of the finest restaurants, pubs, parks, businesses cluster of the finest restaurants, pubs, parks, businesses and retail shops…offering a green, vibrant, pedestrian and retail shops…offering a green, vibrant, pedestrian friendly experience to explore Downtown Minneapolis and friendly experience to explore Downtown Minneapolis and the Mississippi River front." (Hyatt Regency Minneapolis) the Mississippi River front." (Hyatt Regency Minneapolis) We can't wait to see you there! We can't wait to see you there! SAVE-THE-DATE FOR SAI'S 2025 NATIONAL CONVENTION!

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