Mandy DeShrage
Conductor
Honor Band Mandy Fara DeShrage, conductor of the Nassau-Suffolk Honor Band, is a member of the music education faculty of the Syosset Central School District. She is currently a band director at South Woods Middle School. Prior to her appointment in Syosset, she was a band director at both Commack Middle School and George W. Hewlett High School.

Ms. DeShrage is a graduate of Hofstra University. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education with a concentration in flute performance, graduating cum laude with honors. Ms. DeShrage also holds a Master of Arts degree in Wind Conducting. During her graduate studies at Hofstra, she served as the Graduate Conducting Associate to Dr. Peter Loel Boonshaft from 2005-2008, for which she conducted both the Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.

Ensembles under Ms. DeShrage's direction have received numerous awards and recognitions. Her bands have received Gold with Distinction ratings at NYSSMA Festivals. In addition, Ms. DeShrage's bands have performed at clinics and workshops for many composers and conductors such as Robert W. Smith, Christian Wilhjelm and Sean O'Loughlin.

Ms. DeShrage continues to keep an active performance schedule. She is a founding member of the Long Island Flute Quartet and has performed with numerous regional orchestras and ensembles. She has studied flute and piccolo with Carol Wincenc, Patricia Spencer, Susan Deaver, Mindy Kaufman, John Oberbrunner, Ted Mordoff, John Littlefield and John Wion.

Ms. DeShrage maintains a private flute and conducting studio and is an active member of the Nassau Music Educators Association, the New York State Band Directors Association and the New York State School Music Association, for which she is a certified woodwind adjudicator. A frequent guest conductor and clinician for schools and festivals in the region, Ms. DeShrage most recently was invited to serve as guest conductor for the 2012 Hampton Music Educators Association High School Honors Band Festival.