Meet Your Director

My name is Mrs. Lisa Farrell and this is my 20th year as a band director and my 12th year teaching at Eaton.  I was a student here and loved my musical experience as an Eagle!  I earned my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with Applied Percussion from James Madison University in 2003, studying percussion under C. William Rice.  While attending JMU, I was the drum line captain of the Marching Royal Dukes, performing in the 75th Annual Macy's Parade, Inaugural Parades for Governor Mark Warner and President George W. Bush and in Syntagma Square in Athens, Greece.  I was a member of the Pep Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theatre Orchestra.  

Previously, I was the band director at Kempsville Middle School in Virginia Beach for 8 years.  My ensembles have consistently earned Superior Ratings at the yearly Assessments and brought the school a Blue Ribbon for the music department for several years.  I was nominated for Teacher of the Year in Virginia Beach and in Hampton, Tagged by the Virginia Beach Superintendent, chosen for Who's Who of American Teachers, 2005 Hampton All-City Guest Conductor, nominated for the Yale Distinguished Music Educators Award, was selected as the 2015-16 Virginia Beach All-City Conductor,  I was chosen for the 2015-16 Teacher of the Year at Eaton, nominated for the 2019 Grammy Educator Award, and was the 2023 Chesapeake All-City Guest Conductor.

I currently perform with the Williamsburg Symphony , Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Tidewater Winds, Virginia Wind Symphony, and other local groups. During my 15 years with the Virginia Wind Symphony, I have been conducted by Mr. Dennis Zeisler, Dr. Harry Begian, Col. Arnold Gabriel, Samuel Hazo, James Sochinshki, Michael Hackbarth, Brian Balmages, Julie Giroux, James Curnow, and Terry Austin among others.  I have performed with this group at the American Bandmasters Association Conference and the Midwest Music Clinic in 2004 and 2012 as well as at the Virginia Music Educators Conference in 2004 and 2014.   ​I am a member of the Percussive Arts Society, Virginia Music Educators Association, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education and the Golden Key International Honour Society.  I taught the Grafton HS Drum Line and front Ensemble in 2012 and have been the Kecoughtan Drum Line instructor in 2003- 2004 and from 2013 to 2019.  I have also severed as a judge for JMU Drum Line Auditions, stage and sight reading adjudicator for VBODA District Concert Band Assessment, solo festivals, district events and the Percussion caption judge for the Warrior Classic and Monarch Invitational marching band competitions.

I am looking forward to working with your children and continuing the wonderful tradition of excellence in music at Thomas Eaton.