11/04/2025
The Hampton University Department of Music and Performing Arts is proud to announce the recent appointment of Dr. Lia Snead as Director of Wind Studies.
Dr. Lia Snead is a dedicated music educator, conductor, and performer whose teaching career reflects her commitment to musical excellence and student development. She recently accepted the position of Director of Wind Studies at Hampton University, where she will lead the university’s instrumental music initiatives. At Hampton University, Dr. Snead will work to continue to expand the program’s visibility, and inspire the next generation of music educators and performers.
A native of Queens, New York, Dr. Snead earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia Southern University (formerly Armstrong Atlantic State University). She continued her studies at Northern Illinois University, where she completed a Master of Music with an emphasis in Wind Conducting under the mentorship of Dr. Ronnie Wooten. She later earned her Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Conducting from the University of South Carolina, studying with Dr. Cormac Cannon.
Before joining Hampton University, Dr. Snead served as Director of Bands at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. During her tenure, the Wartburg Wind Ensemble performed throughout the United States and internationally in Japan, gaining acclaim for their artistry and musicality. Her collegiate experience builds on a strong foundation of public-school teaching, including successful leadership roles at Robert W. Groves High School, Windsor Forest High School, and Richmond Hill High School, programs that achieved consistent superior ratings under her direction.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Snead is active nationally as a clinician, adjudicator, guest conductor, and performer. She has performed with the Savannah Wind Symphony, where she also served on the Board of Directors. Her professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Band Association (NBA), Minority Band Directors National Association (MBDNA), Association of Black Women Band Directors (ABWBD), and she is a proud life member of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority.
Dr. Snead is married to her college sweetheart, Mr. Derrick Snead. Mr. Snead is the Director of Bands at Booker T. Washington High School and a PhD candidate at the University of South Carolina. Together, they share a beloved Peekapoo named Nina Simone.
