Deanna Swoboda, associate professor in the School of Music, Dance and Theatre in Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, was selected as the winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award from the International Tuba Euphonium Association. One of the most prestigious in the tuba world, the award is given in recognition of demonstrated excellence in the teaching of tuba and euphonium, advancement of the pedagogy of those instruments, and dedication to the mentoring of young musicians. The awardee must have a minimum of 10 years of full-time teaching experience in a tuba/euphonium position and be nominated by a colleague or a current or former student. Dr. Swoboda is the first woman to win the award.
“I have always taught and performed professionally equally, and I am equally passionate about both,” said Dr. Swoboda. “I appreciate the opportunity to help students find their chosen career path and how to create success and happiness for themselves.”
The first instrument Dr. Swoboda learned to play was the clarinet in fourth grade. In eighth grade, she switched to tuba. Dr. Swoboda has enjoyed a vibrant career as a performer, educator, and entrepreneur and has been teaching full-time at the university level for 17 years. Before joining the faculty at Arizona State University, Dr. Swoboda taught at Western Michigan University. While teaching, she maintained a solo career and also toured with the Dallas Brass, with whom she still performs as a substitute tuba player. She has performed hundreds of solo recitals and presentations throughout the United States and Europe. She is the author of Lip Slurs for Tuba Book (Meredith Music, 2015).
Dr. Swoboda is a graduate of the University of Idaho. She earned a master’s degree in tuba performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and a doctor of musical arts degree in tuba performance from Arizona State University.