Mason Summer Band Camp

Dr. William L. Lake, Jr. is the Director of Concert Bands at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University. In this role, he conducts the George Mason University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band. He also teaches conducting and wind literature classes.

Before his tenure at George Mason University, Dr. William L. Lake, Jr., served as Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Crane School of Music (SUNY-Potsdam), where he was co-conductor of the Northern Symphonic Winds, principal conductor of the Crane Concert Band, and guest conductor of the Crane Wind Ensemble. In addition to these responsibilities, Dr. Lake taught undergraduate conducting, Secondary Wind Practices, Wind Literature, and the preservice Practicum in Beginning Instruments Course.

Dr. Lake earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Instrumental Conducting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro under the mentorship of Drs. John R. Locke and Kevin Geraldi. As a graduate student, he was the principal conductor of The University of North Carolina University Band and guest conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Casella Sinfonietta Chamber Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Lake is the recipient of two master’s degrees, the first from Boston University in Music Education (2011) and the second from the University of Maryland, College Park in Wind Conducting (2014), under the mentorship of Dr. Michael Votta, Jr. In May 2006, Dr. Lake received the Bachelor of Music Liberal Arts -Jazz Studies Piano Performance Degree from the University of Maryland, College Park as a student of Jon Ozment and Christopher Vadala.

Dr. Lake maintains an active performance and clinic schedule as a guest conductor and lecturer nationwide. In March of 2024, Dr. Lake was named the Music and Artistic Director of the Capital Wind Symphony. This professional wind ensemble is regarded as one of the nation’s premier wind symphonies. Based near the Nation’s Capital, the ensemble comprises the finest musicians in the area, including members of the US military bands, freelance players, studio teachers, and music educators. Recently, Dr. Lake served as a collaborating author for two books, Teaching Instrumental Music: Perspectives and Pedagogies for the 21st Century (Oxford University Press) and Music Education on the Verge: Stories of Pandemic Teaching and Transformative Change (Lexington Books), both to be published in 2022.

As a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Lake has presented numerous seminars across the United States on inclusive practices in music education and performance, including the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Eastern Division College Band Directors National Association Conference, the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the Maryland Music Educators Association Conference, the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, the College Music Society Conference, and the National Association for Music Education Conference.

Dr. Lake is a member of the College Band Directors National Association and serves as the National Vice President for Professional Relations for Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc., Pi Kappa Lambda, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is also honored with membership in Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc., and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Degrees:

• DMA, Instrumental Conducting – The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• MM, Wind Conducting – University of Maryland, College Park
• MM, Education – Boston University
• BM, Jazz Studies Piano Performance – University of Maryland, College Park

Dr. LaToya A. Webb serves as Wind Ensemble Conductor at Wilfred Laurier University. She teaches courses in instrumental conducting and wind band literature.  Prior to this position, Dr. Webb served as Assistant Director of the Longhorn Band and Assistant Professor of Practice in Conducting and an instructor of wind conducting at Auburn and Grambling State universities.

As a passionate advocate for improving educational opportunities through diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Webb is the Special Projects Manager for United Sound, Inc. She also maintains the William P. Foster Project website and serves on the Southwestern Division Committee. Dr. Webb is Co-founder of I See You: Affirming Representation in Music, an organization aimed to affirm Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) in all fields of music.

Dr. Webb’s professional affiliations include the College Music Society, National Association for Music Education, Texas Music Educators Association, the College Band Directors National Association, Women Band Directors International, Tau Beta Sigma, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.