Catharine Sinon Bushman was the Associate Professor of Music Education and Instrumental Conducting at St. Cloud State University from 2013-2025. Her teaching responsibilities include leading the Wind Ensemble, conducting and courses in music education. She is also the Norseman Band conductor (2021-22) at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Dr. Bushman received a DMA in Wind Conducting at The University of Texas at Austin in 2012. She holds degrees in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern University. Previously, Dr. Bushman served on the faculty of Winthrop University where she led the Symphonic Band, taught graduate and undergraduate courses in music education, and supervised student interns. Dr. Bushman was an Assistant Director of Bands at Lassiter High School in Marietta, Georgia from 1998-2007. Her professional memberships include College Band Directors National Association, Women Band Directors International, Minnesota Society for Music Teacher Education, Minnesota Music Educators Association and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. She is a member of the Executive Council for the Institute for Composer Diversity and partner for And We Were Heard and On the List. She has conducted All-State Bands, Honor Bands and served as an adjudicator for band festivals in multiple states. She has presented at the state and national level on teaching in disadvantaged communities, mentoring of women band directors, woodwind pedagogy and music by historically marginalized composers. From 2016-2021, Dr. Bushman conducted the St. Cloud Municipal Band, an all-adult concert band that performs locally and abroad. She lives in Minneapolis and works full time for the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association where she leads a small but mighty team of organizers in supporting neighbors through renter’s support, art and music events and partnerships with numerous organizations throughout the Twin Cities metro area.
