Episode 63 - Ogechi Ukazu

Texas band director Ogechi Ukazu is a rising star in the music education community and the new Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at Mary Hardin Baylor College. Listen to this episode and you'll understand why she's heading for great things!  Topics: Ogechi's background growing up, studying, and teaching in Texas and the exciting plans for her future. How a few great teachers who took a chance on Ogechi made all of the difference in her life and career. How she went from successful middle school director to an assistant band director at Cypress Ridge High School now to a Visiting Assistant Professor at Mary Hardin Baylor College. Ogechi offers her opinions about race in the music education community, what's important as a teacher in a minority-majority school, and thoughts about how we can encourage young people from at-risk populations to become composers. Links: Cypress Ridge High School University of Mary Hardin Baylor Grainger: Lincolnshire Posy Biography: Associate Director of Bands Ogechi Ukazu is new to Cy-Ridge High School Band Program this year. Prior to her current appointment, she served as Director of Bands at Clear Creek High School (Clear Creek ISD) in League City, TX. Ms. Ukazu conducted the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and was responsible for the administration of the band program. Just before Clear Creek, Ms. Ukazu graduated from Sam Houston State University where she received a Master of Music in Conducting. While at SHSU, Ms. Ukazu served as principal trombone in the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, and lead trombone in the Jazz Ensemble. Ms. Ukazu taught middle school for four years in Spring ISD before attending SHSU—her final two years as the Director of Bands at Claughton. In 2011, the Claughton Middle School Symphonic Band performed at the prestigious Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. Ms. Ukazu received a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the University of Houston where she was principal trombone in the Wind Ensemble, split lead trombone in the Jazz Orchestra, and Trombone Section leader for the Spirit of Houston Marching Band.  Ms. Ukazu is currently part of the Brass Staff for The Guardians, an open class Drum Corps out of Houston, TX. Her professional affiliations include, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Sigma Alpha Iota – International Music Fraternity for Women, and Tau Beta Sigma – National Honorary Band Service Sorority.