The Washtenaw Community Concert Band is pleased to welcome Dr. J. Nick Smith as our Conductor and Music Director. Dr. Smith is Associate Professor and Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands for the School of Music & Dance at Eastern Michigan University (EMU). He conducts the Symphony Band, teaches courses in Music Education, and directs the “Pride of the Peninsula” Marching Band and Basketball Pep-Bands. He holds advanced degrees from the University of Minnesota (Doctor of Musical Arts, Wind Band Conducting) and the University of Michigan (Master of Music, Wind Band Conducting).

Dr. Smith was the 2021 First Prize Winner of the nationally adjudicated “American Prize in Conducting – Band/Wind Ensemble division” and has professional experiences ranging from work with middle school musicians through adult, community and professional ensemble musicians. He has collaborated with numerous local and regional ensembles, festivals, contests, marching band festivals, and honor ensembles in the areas he has been employed.

Dr. Smith has been recently active as an international conductor and clinician in Beijing, China, where he has engaged over fifteen local band programs over a five-year period. Nick currently serves as the Music Director for the Ann Arbor Civic Band.

Prior to coming to Michigan, Dr. Smith served a total of six years at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. As Director of Bands, his high school Wind Ensemble received all “Superior with Distinction” ratings and performed at several local and national festivals. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Auburn University where he was named the “Outstanding Undergraduate Student in the College of Education.” He served as Head Drum Major for the Auburn University Marching Band and principal trumpet of various ensembles. He was also President and Treasurer of Kappa Kappa Psi and Founding President for the student chapter of the National Band Association.

Dr. Smith is an active member of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi, and Honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma.

The WCCB is grateful for the opportunity to rehearse and perform under Dr. Smith. His vision is “to promote family-friendly, community-centered gatherings, and provide tradition-based, inspirational, and meaningful musical experiences for ensemble members.” We are excited to share this vision with our friends and supporters through our work with him.

Welcome, Nick!

Dr. Pam Klena is Assistant Professor of Music at Oakland University, where she conducts the Oakland University Symphonic Band, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting and instrumental music education courses, and supervises student teachers. She is also the coordinator for the annual Oakland University Honor Band. Dr. Klena holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Lee University. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied conducting with Dr. Kevin Geraldi and Dr. John Locke, conducted the Symphonic Band, University Band, Casella Sinfonietta, and Wind Ensemble, and taught undergraduate conducting courses. She earned her Master of Music degree from Central Michigan University, where she studied conducting with John E. Williamson and conducted multiple ensembles, including assisting with the Central Michigan Marching Chippewas.

Prior to graduate school, Dr. Klena was Director of Bands at Trinity Christian School in Sharpsburg, GA, and coordinated the Georgia Independent School Association All-Select Middle School Honor Band and Chorus. Dr. Klena is currently serving as Immediate Past President of Women Band Directors International (WBDI). She is a faculty advisor to the Nu Zeta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) at Oakland University and serves as the Director of the SAI Doctoral Grant committee. Recognized as an honorary member for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), she is an active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout Michigan, presenting at national and regional conferences including NAfME, CBDNA, MMC, FMEA, and MMEA.