Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft

Called one of the most exciting and exhilarating voices in music education today, Peter Loel Boonshaft has been invited to speak or conduct in every state in the nation and around the world. He is the author of the critically acclaimed best-selling books Teaching Music with Passion, Teaching Music with Purpose, and Teaching Music with Promise, as well as his first book for all educators, Teaching with Passion, Purpose and Promise. He is also co-author of Alfred Music Publishing’s new beginning method book series, Sound Innovations for Band and Sound Innovations for Strings, as well as Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band and Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Advanced Concert Band. He is currently on the faculty of Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, where he is Professor of Music and Director of the Graduate Conducting Program. Dr. Boonshaft has received official proclamations from the Governors of five states and a Certificate of Appreciation from former President Ronald Reagan, as well as performing for former President and Mrs. George Bush, former President Bill Clinton, and for Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. His honors also include being selected three times as a National Endowment for the Arts "Artist in Residence,” three times awarded Honorary Life Membership in the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and being selected for the Center for Scholarly Research and Academic Excellence at Hofstra University.

Extremely active as a guest conductor, clinician and speaker for conferences, festivals, concerts and workshops nationally and internationally, he has guest conducted the MENC (The National Association for Music Education) All-Eastern Band, MENC All-Northwest Band, MENC All-Eastern Directors Band, and Goldman Memorial Band. He was also invited to guest conduct the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, and was named conductor of the MENC National High School Honors Band for the National Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. He has served as a speaker for the Canadian Music Educators Association National Convention, MENC National Conference, American Band College, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Music For All/Bands and Orchestras of America Symposium, Samuel Barber Institute for Music Educators, Music Education Center of America, Maryborough Music Conference of Australia, Singapore Ministry of Education Band Conference, Conn-Selmer Institute, NESA Council of Overseas Schools Conference in Bangkok, Thailand, and as keynote speaker for the MENC Northwest Division Conference, MENC Southern Division Conference, MENC Eastern Division Conference, European Music Educators Convention, National Convention of the American String Teachers Association, National Convention of the American School Band Directors Association, ACDA Western Division Conference, National Conference of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, and numerous international, national, state and regional music education conferences.