Distinguished Band Director Award
This award is given annually to the band director that has made an outstanding contribution to the band community in Nova Scotia.
Congratulations to Allison Penwell
Steve Hartlen & Allison Penwell
Allison graduated from Mount Allison University (B.Mus), Acadia University (B.Ed, M.Ed) and NSCAD University (Teaching Certificate in Fine Arts). She has served on the NS Band Association as secretary and is a member of the NS Music Educators Association. She currently performs with the Glass Winds Ensemble and lives in Dartmouth with her husband, Jason and their adorable Frenchie, Olive.
Passionate about arts education for rural schools, Allison has offered jazz, musical theater, creative collective, theater and honours programs in her schools working alongside fellow educators to ensure small/rural schools have equal opportunities in the arts. Her students have gone on to musical performance, sound recording, music education and composition. She has presented at the NS Music Educators Conference and is passionate about creating safe communities within her band programs. A strong supporter of new music for bands and using music as an opportunity to elevate all voices, she has traveled with her bands throughout Canada and the United States.
Allison Penwell is a band director at Eastern Shore District High School and Gaetz Brook Junior High in Musquodoboit Harbour, Nova Scotia. She also directs the Halifax Regional Arts (East) Junior Band and Intermediate Band.
