SUNCOAST CONCERT BAND GUEST CONDUCTOR
Dr. Robyn L. Bell has been the conductor and artistic director of the Sarasota Pops Orchestra in Sarasota, Florida, since 2011. While on faculty at State College of Florida (SCF) In Bradenton from 2009 to 2022, she served as the Music Program Manager, Director of Instrumental Studies, and Professor of Music, conducting the Symphonic Band and Bradenton Symphony Orchestra, while also teaching classes in music theory and appreciation. In addition to her responsibilities with the Pops and SCF, Dr. Bell has also served as conductor of the Sarasota Orchestra Youth Symphony, guest conductor of the Venice Symphony, and conductor of the Monarch Brass, a brass ensemble comprising international professional women brass players.
Dr. Bell received her B.S. degree in music education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, earning a master’s degree in instrumental conducting. She completed a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Boston University, with a research emphasis on popular music in secondary education.
Dr. Bell has been a member of the National Association for Music Educators, Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, Florida Orchestra Association, College Band Directors National Association, College Orchestra Directors Association, Women Band Directors International, and Association for Fundraising Professionals. She is a past president of WBDI and has received the Silver Baton Award from that organization. The Georgia Music Educators Association recognized her for her outstanding contributions to music education, and she has been awarded the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association. Dr. Bell is an honorary life member of Tau Beta Sigma, a national band sorority dedicated to serving college band programs. She won the NISOD Award for teaching excellence at SCF, served as Faculty Senate president in the 2015-2016 school year, was a member of SCF’s Leadership Academy in 2019, and participated in the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s “Leadership Sarasota,” class of 2025.