Dr. Melissa Sawyer

Dr. Melissa Sawyer teaches music education courses, clarinet lessons, and directs the Concert Band for the Department of Music.  She is a native of Edmond, Okla., and has taught at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels in Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada, and New Mexico.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma where she marched with the acclaimed Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band. She also holds a Master of Arts in Conducting from New Mexico State University where she studied with Dr. Michael Mapp and Dr. Steven Smyth. Sawyer served as the Assistant Director of Bands at New Mexico State University where she was Assistant Director of The Pride of New Mexico Marching Band, Roadrunner Revue Pep Band, Desert Winds Indoor Marching Arts, and Pete’s Outlaws Pep Band. Sawyer taught courses in Music Education at the undergraduate and graduate levels and conducted the Symphonic Band. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting with Dr. Paul Popiel at the University of Kansas, where she served as the KU Volleyball Band Conductor.

In addition to her duties in the music department, Professor Sawyer serves as Director of Athletic Bands, leading the Raven Regiment and Athletic Bands.