LaSaundra Booth
Dr. LaSaundra Booth is a licensed educator with sixteen consecutive years of classroom experience, and over twenty-nine years of performance experience. Dr. Booth’s dissertation, Factors that Influence the Status of K-12 String Orchestra Programs in North Carolina Public Schools, is the first published string orchestra study to specifically address the status of orchestra in North Carolina Public Schools. Dr. Booth is a National Board Certified Orchestra director, holds an advanced degree in Educational Leadership, and a Master’s Degree in Music Education with a concentration in String Pedagogy from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While attending UNC-Greensboro, Dr. Booth studied cello with Dr. Alexander Ezerman. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Performance with a concentration in Cello from North Carolina Central University, where she studied cello with master cellist, Dr. Timothy Holley. In addition to her collegiate studies, Dr. Booth studied cello privately with Jessie Suggs, Jr., Kellie Keiser, and Jennifer Wernicke. Dr. Booth was a member of the Greensboro Philharmonia, Duke Symphony Orchestra, Durham Symphony, and performed with the Raleigh Symphony. Her wealth of performance experience includes performing as a principal cellist of Integrity Strings, serving as a featured cellist on tour with the North Carolina Central University’s touring choir, performing in master classes with Benjamin Zander, and traveling abroad to complete a mini-tour in Sydney, Australia.
Dr. Booth has a successful history of establishing string programs and creating string orchestra curriculum for public schools and non-profit organizations. She is founder and executive director of the Wake Forest Community Youth Orchestra, a non-profit organization that provides expert orchestral instruction and free instruments to over 350 Pre-K through 12th grade students across Wake, Franklin, and Vance counties. Under Dr. Booth’s leadership, all of her performing ensembles have received superior ratings in adjudicated music festivals and competitions. Dr. Booth’s accomplishments include a featured article and cover story on the 2008 edition of Opus magazine, a guest appearance on an episode of One Tree Hill, the WB network’s hit television series, and a performance on Spiritual Awakenings, an inspirational television show. Dr. Booth was interviewed by Tara Lynn, host of the WCPE Classical Radio Station, for her work with youth in the community. Dr. Booth is also an inventor who was awarded a patent by the USPTO for designing a music instruction apparatus for string instruments (USPTO# 20140260902).
Dr. Booth is an active member of the North Carolina Music Educators Association. She previously served as District 3 President overseeing 14 counties. She is currently the Southern Division Representative to the NAfME Council for Orchestral Education. Dr. Booth is also a member of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and recently served as a panelist providing K-12 string orchestra recruitment strategies at the National Conference. Dr. Booth was named one of 50 Directors who Make A Difference by School Band and Orchestra Magazine in 2017. Dr. Booth is in demand as a conductor, adjudicator, and clinician.
Dr. Booth currently performs as principal cellist of Integrity Strings and as a section cellist in the group Cellist Ti Awo. She is a member of Sphinx LEAD (Leaders in Excellence, Arts & Diversity), a 2-year professional empowerment program designed to evolve the landscape of arts leadership. In addition to music education, Dr. Booth is passionate about cooking. She is the author of Meals for Musicians: Delicious meals suited for your busy lifestyle. She is excited to bring her love for cooking and delicious recipes to THAW!
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