Karen LaVoie

Trumpet, Director Wind Symphony, Conducting
B.S., University of Southern Maine; M.M., Western Michigan University; D.M.A., University of Iowa

Karen LaVoie is Professor of Music and Director of the Wind Symphony at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts.  Dr. LaVoie teaches studio trumpet, conducting, ear-training, and has taught courses in music education, music history, and music appreciation.  She has also served as Chair of the Music Department at Westfield.  Dr. LaVoie taught public school band, chorus, and classroom music in Falmouth, Maine, and all aspects of instrumental music and music history at Olivet College in Olivet, Michigan.  As a trumpet player, Dr. LaVoie has performed with numerous orchestras, musicals, and wind ensembles, including the Brass Band of Battle Creek, MI, the Massachusetts Wind Orchestra, and the Berkshire Lyric Chorus at Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood. 

Dr. LaVoie has been a guest conductor and adjudicator for district and All-State festivals and clinics in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Minnesota, and Iowa.  She served three times as the wind ensemble conductor for the United States Youth Ensembles 19-day European Tour, performing in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, and the Netherlands.  Dr. LaVoie holds degrees in music education and band conducting from the University of Southern Maine, Western Michigan University, and was the first woman to receive the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Band Conducting from the University of Iowa.  She is an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the College Band Directors National Association, the International Trumpet Guild, the College Music Society, NAFME, Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, a national Music Honor Society, and is a life-long honorary member of the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association.