About Don
Don Stinson is a music educator, author, speaker, and clinician. He holds degrees in music education from Joliet Junior College, VanderCook College of Music, Northern Illinois University, and holds an additional Masters in Education Administration from the University of St. Francis.
Don has taught students from different socio-economic areas and from all walks of life. His bands have appeared multiple times at prestigious state and national festivals. He has been an adjudicator and guest clinician for multiple festivals in Illinois and is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Don has received several recognitions, including the Yale University Educator Award, a Country Music Awards Music Teacher of Excellence Award, and multiple citations of excellence from the National Band Association. He has received invitations to speak at music conferences such as the National Association for Music Education National Conference and the Illinois Music Education Association Conference. Most recently, Don was the keynote speaker for Omaha Public School Music Teacher In-service, Northern Illinois University’s Urban Education Summit, and appeared at the College Band Director’s National Association Conference to deliver the session “What Every Pre-Service Teacher Should Know About Teaching in Underserved Schools.” In 2023, Don presented at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL, the largest band and orchestra clinic in the world.
He is the host of the music education podcast “The Bandmasters” and the author of High Needs, Monumental Successes: Teaching Music To Low-Income and Underserved Students, available from GIA Publications. More of Don’s writings can be found at the Yamaha Education Suite Blog.