Hello Everyone! My name is Teresa Strobel-Gagiu, and I am an orchestra teacher, violist, singer, & conductor based in Illinois. As a woman in the field of conducting, the journey to the podium and the pursuit of being taken seriously have often been challenging. As a female educator, that path has been further complicated by perceptions such as, "You're just a teacher, not a serious conductor," or "Since you teach, you can never truly excel in conducting." Despite these sentiments, my passion remains unwavering. I have often been overlooked or underestimated, yet the truth persists: conducting is what drives me. It fuels my passion and gives me purpose—I am constantly looking forward to the next time I step onto the podium. I also recognize that I still have much to learn and much to contribute to the music community. This is why I am eager to attend the Cascade Conducting Workshop: to experience learning from a female conductor for the first time, with other students who share my dedication to refining our craft, gaining new experiences, and growing in a supportive, collaborative environment.

My passion for conducting began during my undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University, where I studied music education and had opportunities to engage in conducting at a more advanced level. After graduating, I became a middle school orchestra teacher, but I continued to pursue conducting through workshops and private instruction. Two years later, I made the decision to further my education and enrolled in the Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting program at the University of South Carolina (UofSC), where I graduated in Spring 2023. 

As a teacher, the need and desire to continue my professional development is strong. However, often teachers do not have the funds to pursue these opportunities. Any support will help cover the cost of tuition and the flight from Illinois to Washington. Thank you for supporting the arts, and the future of music education!