Susana Lalama
Susana M. Lalama, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Music Education and Director of the Petrie School of Music at Converse University. Dr. Lalama teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, conducting and supervises student teachers. She also advises graduate music education master’s theses and projects. Before she was appointed Director of the Petrie School of Music, she served as the Conductor of the Converse Wind Ensemble.
Dr. Lalama grew up in Miami, Florida, and went on to pursue her music education degrees from the University of Miami. Prior to her graduate degrees, she served as Director of Bands at Barbara Goleman High School in Miami Lakes, where under her direction, the wind ensemble, jazz band, and marching band consistently received superior ratings at district and state music performance assessments.
When not teaching in the classroom, Dr. Lalama serves as the adviser of the Collegiate NAfME Converse Chapter and is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs. She had served on the South Carolina Music Educators Association executive board as Past-President of the Higher Education Division and was the Editor of the South Carolina Musician, the official publication of SCMEA. Outside of Converse and SCMEA, Dr. Lalama was the conductor of the Inaugural Season of the Spartanburg Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and continued to serve as Conductor of the Senior Orchestra from 2019-2024.
Scholarly & Research Activity
Dr. Lalama is an active scholar, presenter, and researcher in music education. She has presented music education workshops on topics such as strategies for teaching intonation in band, classroom management for large ensembles, the student teaching experience, and artistry in conducting. Her research interests are centered on caring climates, student social behaviors, music teacher education, and modern band.
She has been recognized in Who’s Who Among American Teachers and was named Outstanding Woman of the Year for the Women in Action organization in 2009. She is a member of several national and international professional organizations and has conducted numerous honor bands regionally. Dr. Lalama currently serves as an active band and orchestra clinician, adjudicator, instrumental music education consultant, and mentor to new music teachers.