Dr. Jennifer Laubenthal, an associate professor of clarinet at Eastern New Mexico University, was recently named the collegiate vice president of the New Mexico Music Educators Association (NMMEA), which promotes the advancement of music education in schools.

"This organization provides wonderful opportunities to all musicians throughout the state of New Mexico," explained Dr. Laubenthal. "The NMMEA organization is important to me because it is student-centered and fully supports the advancement of music education for all."

She has attended the NMMEA In-Service Conference for nine years, which gave her the opportunity to meet music educators, reconnect with New Mexico music teachers, work with students in sectionals, talk with prospective ENMU students and provide presentations on teaching the clarinet. 

"I am excited to give back to the organization that has provided me with many wonderful opportunities and the forum to connect with other musicians," she explained. "I am happy and honored to serve this organization and the musicians of New Mexico in this capacity."

Dr. Laubenthal shared her goals for the position:

"I believe it is very important to invest in the future of music education. To facilitate student's transition into their professional career, it would be beneficial to instate mentorship opportunities, a roundtable panel for students to field questions from music educators, a collegiate area meeting during the conference to learn of the challenges faced by students and ways to better serve this population and opportunities for students to interact with prominent music educators. 

"I would like to facilitate more involvement between collegiate members and university faculty. I want the New Mexico Music Educators Association to be a relevant resource for preservice teachers and an organization that will inspire music educators to invest in the students of New Mexico."

The collegiate vice president of the NMMEA also serves as a coordinator of student learning and interim chair of the Department of Art at ENMU. "I am so very thankful for the opportunity to work with exceptional students and colleagues [at ENMU]," she said. "I am inspired by my students and colleagues every day. I love hearing my student's progress and musical growth."

She explained that the students are her favorite thing about Eastern because they are "the best: hardworking, focused, appreciative and a joy to teach."

Dr. Laubenthal has wanted to be a clarinet professor since the age of 13. "I had an aesthetic experience, and I knew music would play a significant role in the rest of my life," she explained. "I wanted others to have a similar experience; this was how I knew I wanted to be a teacher."

She was raised in Ottawa, Ohio, with her father owning a business and her mother teaching. She had one sister, who is part of the curriculum development group at a local school.

The professor earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Akron in 2004 and a Master of Music in 2006 and Doctor of Musical Arts in 2009, both from Ohio State University.

Her colleagues and past teachers are her role models. "My colleagues provide me with inspiration, support and friendship," she said. "My teachers taught me everything they knew about the musical language."

She considers her greatest accomplishment to be the "successes of my students."

Dr. Laubenthal, who lives in Portales with her husband, son and Golden Retriever, has performed in recitals across the country and at the International Clarinet Association Clarinetfest and the National Flute Association Conference.

She has also been published in peer-reviewed journals, including a recent article in the "Music Educators Journal."