About
Amy Acklin serves as Professor of Music and Associate Director of Bands at the University of Louisville where she directs the UofL Cardinal Marching Band, Pep Band, and Symphonic Band and teaches courses in undergraduate conducting and music education. Previously, Dr. Acklin taught instrumental music in the California public schools, serving as Director of Bands at Rancho Cucamonga High School, Etiwanda Intermediate School and Bolsa Grande High School.
Under her direction, the UofL Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the 2016 CBDNA Southern Division Conference in Charleston, South Carolina and the 2015 Kentucky Music Educators Association Professional Conference in Louisville, Kentucky. Both performances represented a first in the history of the UofL Symphonic Band. Additionally, the UofL Cardinal Marching Band has performed at numerous bowl games throughout the nation, including the 2013 All-State Sugar Bowl, multiple NFL Games, and has proudly served as the official band of the KY Derby since 1936.
Dr. Acklin is an active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the country. She currently serves as the National Band Association KY State Chair and the Kentucky Music Educators Association College/University Chair and is an active member of the KMEA, having served as the past NAfME Collegiate State Advisor, University & College Band Directors Association President and Intercollegiate Band Coordinator. Dr. Acklin is the recipient of the 2021 UofL Distinguished Teacher Award, the 2019 KMEA College/University Teacher of the Year Award, the NBA Citation of Excellence and an inductee of the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity and Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.
Dr. Acklin's research focuses on the analyses of wind band works with special emphasis on the wind band repertoire of Grawemeyer-award winning composers. She has publications in The Journal of Band Research, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Florida Music Director, and GIA’s “Teaching Music Through Performance in Band” series and has presented research at the National CBDNA Conference, CBDNA Athletic Band Symposium, MENC: The National Association for Music Education National Conference, as well as multiple regional and state conferences. She is an active member of WASBE, CBDNA, NBA, NAfME, and KMEA and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. Dr. Acklin holds B.M. and M.M. degrees from the University of Louisville and a Ph.D. in Music Education/Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University where she was privileged to study with mentors Richard Clary, Patrick Dunnigan, Clifford Madsen and Frederick Speck.