TCC Band Director Receives National Recognition

Cheryl Lee, Tulsa Community College’s Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music, received the George N. Parks Leadership in Music Education Award, a prominent honor recognizing her dedication, perseverance, and ability to inspire students beyond the classroom. In her first year at TCC, Lee has brought a wealth of experience from her 20-year career teaching high school band and has embraced the opportunity to lead the College’s band program.

Cheryl Lee, Tulsa Community College's Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music, received the prestigious George N. Parks Leadership in Music Education Award at the Grand National Championships in Indianapolis last Fall.

Presented by the National Association for Music Education and Music for All, this honor recognizes exceptional music educators who demonstrate a collaborative spirit, dedication to students, perseverance, and an ability to instill life skills that extend beyond the classroom.

“I was in disbelief,” Lee recalls of learning she won the 2024 award. “I remember they called me on a Friday morning, and I didn't know what to say. I hadn't won anything like this before. You think of how many amazing teachers there are, and you just assume someone else is probably more deserving of it.”

Lee is in her first year at TCC and was nominated for the award by colleagues from her former school in Texas. She received the award in-person at the national high school band competition and presented a seminar to college band students attending the contest.

A Career Transition

An Oklahoma native, Lee’s decision to return home after 20 years of teaching high school band was deeply personal.

"My parents are aging, and it was important for me to be near them," she says. “I had lived in Kansas City and Austin for more than a decade, so it was important for me to come home.”

Shifting to higher education felt like the right next step for Lee, who now leads TCC’s band program.

“There's a lot of support from the College to have arts, and I think that's so important. I feel like what we do every day, it truly serves the students here, whether they're majoring in music or not,” she says.

Music has always been a central part of Lee’s life. A multi-instrumentalist who plays flute and trombone, she describes herself as an over achiever in school, involved in many activities—but says band was where she found her community.

“Band made such a difference for me. It’s where I found myself and my people,” Lee says. “I've known for a long time that I was going to be a teacher. That's what I felt my calling was. I can teach so much through band. Not just about music, but about life.”

Growing TCC’s Music Program

Even as she settles into her new role, Lee is already looking to expand TCC’s Music programs, particularly for students who are not Music majors but still have a passion for it.

“I know there are band students walking around campus who don't realize the opportunity is there,” she says. “Maybe they think, ‘I'm not majoring in music, so I have no business being in band,’ or they think they won't have time.”

Lee emphasizes the commitment is manageable. “Concert Band and Jazz Band rehearse just a couple hours a week, and we play fun music. My hope is that I can keep recruiting more people into the band program, whether they’re Music majors or not.”

She believes music offers benefits that transcend the classroom and teach students skills that are useful in all sorts of careers.

“Music touches everything. It’s math, it’s language, it’s biology all wrapped into one. Live performance and the concept of being present in the moment—those are things music uniquely offers.”

Outside of teaching, Lee enjoys reading fiction and non-fiction, often juggling two books at a time to unwind and escape. She and her partner share a love of cooking, and enjoy spending time with their dog, Tyrion, and cat, Bean.

Lee looks forward to continuing her work at TCC, inspiring students and building a community where anyone can experience the joy of music.