Instrumental Music Staff

In her eighth year leading Wootton’s Band Program, Susan Eckerle conducts the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Patriot Winds, and Jazz Band and co-directs the Marching Band. She advocates that with intentional support, every student can achieve excellence.

Under her leadership, her ensembles consistently earn “Superior” ratings at district and state assessments, with national recognition at Wootton, the marching band being named USBands Group 3A National and Maryland State Marching Band Championship in 2018, consistent top-three finishes on the Maryland Marching Band Association circuit, numerous All Eastern and All State ensemble placements, and feature performances at MMEA conferences (Spring 2018 & 2024, Fall 2022).  At La Plata High School, the Warrior Marching Band was the USBands Group 1A Maryland State Champion in 2017 and 2016.  The McDonough High School Wind Ensemble performed at the commissioning of USS Sterrett(DDG104) in Baltimore, 2008, and the marching band performed in Governor Martin O’Malley’s Inaugural Parade in 2007. 

Dr. Eckerle’s teaching experience includes stints at La Plata High School, MD; Maurice J. McDonough High School, Pomfret, MD; Ocean Springs Middle School, Ocean Springs, MS; Admiral Arthur Radford High School, Honolulu, HI; and Vancleave Elementary, Middle, and High Schools, Vancleave, MS.

Dr. Eckerle earned a Doctor of Arts, Music Education from William Carey University. She completed a Master of Arts, Conducting from California State University, Fresno, and earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Louisiana State University. She is a member of the Maryland Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and Women Band Directors International.. She serves as President-Elect of the Maryland Band Directors Association and Montgomery County Public Schools Senior Honor Band Preparatory Director. Awards include WBDI’s Scroll of Excellence (2022) and MMEA’s Outstanding Music Educator (2023).