Dr. Julia L. Baumanis is Assistant Professor of Practice and Associate Director of Bands at Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of the Arts, and is the first female band director in the university’s history. Her duties include serving as the conductor of the Rutgers Symphony Band, assistant director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, director of pep bands, and teaching courses in conducting and instrumental music education. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Baumanis served as the assistant director of bands and director of athletic bands at the University of Central Missouri.

A graduate of the Florida State University College of Music, Dr. Baumanis received her bachelor’s in instrumental music education, her master’s degree in instrumental conducting, and her PhD in music education and instrumental conducting. Prior to graduate school, she taught public school in south Florida as the associate director of bands and orchestras at J.P. Taravella High School and the director of orchestras at Ramblewood Middle School.

An active performer, educator, and researcher, Dr. Baumanis has presented her research nationally, including at the NAfME Research Symposium, the CBDNA National Conference, FMEA, TMEA, MMEA, and the Desert Skies Music Education Research Symposium. Most recently, her research has focused on developing a baton that records data from a conductor’s expressive gestures. She hopes to implement this technology in the conducting classroom as a technological tool to assist beginning conductors in their craft.

Dr. Baumanis also serves the music community as a member of the Education and Repertoire Committee for the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), and as mentorship co-chair for Women Band Directors International (WBDI), and formerly as design editor for The Woman Conductor, the official publication of WBDI. She most recently accepted the position of artistic director and conductor of the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra, a professional orchestra that in their half-century of existence has worked to reframe classical music through intentional programming and performance placement.