Cassandra Bechard, D.M.A.

Dr. Cassandra Bechard serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at University of Northwestern – St. Paul and artistic director and conductor of Seward Concert Band in Minneapolis. She received a doctor of musical arts in wind band conducting from University of Minnesota, holds a master’s degree in bassoon performance from Bowling Green State University, and dual bachelor’s degrees in music education and music performance from Central Michigan University. During her doctoral studies she conducted the Maroon Campus Band for three years, a non-auditioned concert band comprised of 80 students, and also at U of M guest conducted Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Pride of Minnesota.

Her previous appointments include a similar position at University of Dubuque and assistant band director at Roosevelt High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where she concurrently served as adjunct bassoon professor at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. Bechard spent summers during her undergraduate and master’s degrees working at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lakes, Michigan.

Most recently, Bechard presented at Idaho Bandmasters Convention and on a panel at Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. She has also given various presentations in South Dakota and Oklahoma. As a school clinician, Bechard actively visits middle and high school band programs and has conducted the South Dakota All-State Middle School Band.

Cassie and her musically talented husband Dave have two children, Jackson and Annabelle, two small rescue dogs (weighing an incredible 19 lbs combined), and several fish.