About Renée

Renée E. Todd is a retired band director with a 32-year career in music education, including 13 years as Director of Bands at Ligon GT Magnet Middle School. Under her leadership, the Ligon Band program grew to over 250 members, with three wind bands and two jazz ensembles consistently earning superior ratings at local and national music festivals.

During her tenure, the program achieved national recognition, including being named a National Blue Ribbon “Program of Excellence” by the National Band Association in 2024 and receiving Downbeat Magazine’s Award for Outstanding Jr. High Jazz Performance in 2025. Her ensembles also earned invitations to perform at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2019 and the Music For All National Concert Festival in 2020.

Ms. Todd’s contributions to the band community have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Central Region Jazz “Award of Excellence,” multiple “Band Director of the Year” honors, and four Citation of Excellence Awards from the National Band Association. In 2022, she was named one of School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.” She has also been nominated for Wake County Public School System’s Magnet Schools of America Teacher of the Year and honored as Teacher of the Year at multiple schools.

Now focused on her work as a band clinician, mentor, and private brass instructor, Ms. Todd collaborates with school programs, conducts honor bands, and provides guidance to music educators and students. She currently conducts the Brass Choir at White Memorial Presbyterian in Raleigh, and her upcoming engagements include directing the University of Georgia Midfest Honor Band in 2025, the North Carolina Middle School All-State Jazz Band in 2026, and the California All-State Junior High School Band in 2027.

In addition to her teaching and conducting, Ms. Todd remains an active performer, appearing regularly with the Triangle Brass Band and working as a freelance trumpeter throughout the Raleigh area. She also operates the RT Brass Studio, where she teaches private lessons and mentors developing brass musicians.

Ms. Todd holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the American School Band Directors Association, the National Band Association, the Women Band Directors International, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the North American Brass Band Association, and the North Carolina Music Educators Association.

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Renée E. Todd is a retired band director with 32 years in music education, including 13 years leading the award-winning Ligon GT Magnet Middle School Band program. Now a sought-after band clinician, mentor, and private brass instructor, she works with students and educators across the country while maintaining an active performance schedule with the Triangle Brass Band and the International Athena Brass Band. Ms. Todd is a four-time National Band Association Citation of Excellence recipient and was named one of School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.” Bio (short 91 words)

Introduction (198 words)

It is my pleasure to introduce Renée E. Todd, a retired band director whose distinguished 32-year career in music education includes 13 years leading the award-winning Ligon GT Magnet Middle School Band program in Raleigh, North Carolina. Under her leadership, the program grew to over 200 members, earning national honors such as the National Band Association’s Blue Ribbon “Program of Excellence”, Downbeat Magazine’s Award for Outstanding Jr. High Jazz Performance and invitations to perform at prestigious events such as the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic and the Music For All National Concert Festival.

Ms. Todd’s contributions to the band profession have been recognized with multiple “Band Director of the Year” awards, the Central Region Jazz “Award of Excellence,” and four Citation of Excellence Awards from the National Band Association. In 2022, she was named one of School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.”

Today, she continues to inspire young musicians and music educators as a sought-after band clinician, mentor, and private brass instructor, working with ensembles across the country. She is also an active performer with the Triangle Brass Band and the International Athena Brass Band. Please join me in welcoming Renée E. Todd.

Short Intro (72 words)

Please welcome Renée E. Todd, a retired band director and nationally recognized music educator whose 32-year career includes leading award-winning ensembles, receiving multiple National Band Association Citations of Excellence, and being named one of School Band and Orchestra Magazine’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference.” She now shares her expertise as a sought-after band clinician, mentor, and private teacher, while performing with the Triangle Brass Band and the International Athena Brass Band.