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Instructor

Associate Director of Bands

Contact Information

Cogswell 202

hcwh@iup.edu

Courses

Education

  • DMA (ABD), Ball State University
  • MS, Drexel University
  • MM, West Chester University
  • BSEd, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø

Biography

Cassidy Nalepa is currently the interim associate director of Bands at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. Nalepa leads the IUP Symphony Band and is the director of the IUP “Legend” Marching Band. She is currently finishing a doctor of arts in conducting and music education at Ball State University. Nalepa also holds a master’s degree in arts administration from Drexel University, a master’s degree in conducting from West Chester University, and a bachelor’s degree in music education from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. Cassidy has studied oboe with Lisa Kozenko, Henry Grabb, Stephanie Caulder, and Robert Lloyd. Her conducting mentors include Thomas Caneva and Andrew Yozviak.

As a Pittsburgh native, Cassidy Nalepa has extensive experience as a middle and high school band director within various public school systems across the state, including Punxsutawney, Upper Dauphin, and Upper Perkiomen school districts. As an arts administrator, Nalepa spent two years in New York City working for the Kaufman Music Center and Special Music School, a NYC K-12 public school that provides students with an intensive music education experience. During her time, she helped to establish the first wind ensemble at Special Music School High School.

Prior to her position at IUP, Nalepa held positions at Defiance College in Defiance, Ohio, and Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio. At Defiance College, Nalepa was the director of music programs and director of bands for three years, where she led the marching band, concert band, jazz band, and community orchestra. She also taught courses in music leadership, conducting, and music appreciation. As the head of the department, Nalepa restructured the music minor degree program, increased recruitment and retention efforts, integrated performance opportunities for non-music major students of all experience levels and fundraised for rehearsal space improvements, technology upgrades, and the school’s first keyboard lab. Nalepa served as adjunct faculty at Northwest State Community College, where she designed curricula and taught several sections of music appreciation.

Cassidy Nalepa is an active guest conductor and clinician, working with junior high and high school bands across ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, Ohio, and Indiana. Nalepa’s research interests include wind conducting pedagogy, rehearsal techniques, and holistic, student-centered approaches to music education. Nalepa’s professional affiliations include College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Music Educators Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Sigma Alpha Iota.