Teresa Purcell-Giles

Teresa Purcell-Giles joined the faculty at William Paterson University in 2021 and serves as Director of Bands/Assistant Professor of Music. In her role at WP, Dr. Purcell-Giles conducts the William Paterson Wind Ensemble, teaches beginning and advanced conducting and coordinates the instrumental area (woodwind, brass and strings) applied studies, as well as the ​classical performance area.

Prior to her appointment at William Paterson, she was Director of Bands at Oklahoma Baptist University, and taught 5th-12th grade bands in the public schools of Georgia and Kansas.

Purcell-Giles holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma (D.M.A. Wind Conducting, 2017), Kansas State University (M.M. Instrumental Conducting, 2011) and the University of Texas at El Paso (B.M. Music Education, 2007). Her primary conducting teachers were Frank Tracz and Bill Wakefield, and she studied flute with Melissa Colgin-Abeln and Mary Lee Cochran.

Dr. Purcell-Giles is active as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor across the country. She has presented nationally on topics ranging from engaging audiences through interactive performances to wellness and injury prevention for conductors, and in 2016, was invited to guest conduct the United States Army Band Pershing's Own as part of their annual Conductor's Workshop.

She holds professional affiliations with the College Band Directors National Association, the National Association for Music Educators, New Jersey Music Educators, the National Flute Association and is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Professional Interests

Sensory Friendly Band Programming/Performances
Diverse and Equitable Programming of Wind Band Music by Women and People of Color
The Wind Band Music of Vincent Persichetti