Assistant Director of Bands

The University of Akron School of Music and University Bands welcome Michelle Bell to the faculty where she will serve as Assistant Director of the Bands and Director of Athletic Bands.  

Before joining the faculty, Dr. Bell completed her DMA at the University of Illinois where she served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and instructor for undergraduate conducting courses, conducted the Campus Band, and worked with the Marching Illini and Basketball Bands.

Dr. Bell previously taught at Emory & Henry College in Emory, VA where she assisted with the Marching Band and Concert Band and directed the Pep Band and various chamber woodwind ensembles. She also taught courses in theory, conducting, instrumental methods, and woodwind methods. Prior to her time at E&H, she taught at St. Cloud State University, where she directed the Sports Band. In addition to teaching, her research on building grit in students has led to multiple presentations at state and national conferences, including the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) National Conference.

In 2011, Dr. Bell received her commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. Since then, she has served in the Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota Army National Guards. Currently, she holds the rank of captain and was most recently deployed as a company commander, where she led a company of over 100 soldiers.

Dr. Bell earned her Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Minnesota and her Bachelor of Music in Music Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her professional affiliations include College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, and Women Band Directors International.