Program Overview

The Simsbury High School music and performing arts program seeks to provide every student with a broad background in performing arts. By participating in music and theater, students learn a body of knowledge and skills that will enhance their personal growth, not only during their high school years, but throughout life. Each of the courses offered furnishes students with an in-depth experience specific to the course offering. For some music courses, teachers offer a pass/fail option. The deadline for requesting this option is the third week of the course.

Lisa Abel earned her Bachelor of Music degree in music education at the University of Miami (FL).  She earned her Master of Music degree in music education with an emphasis in wind conducting from the University of Hartford, and graduated with her 6th year degree in educational leadership at Central CT State University.  During her time in Miami, Lisa played French horn in the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Winds, and Brass Choir. She was also the drum major of the Band of the Hour, Miami's marching band, for three years. Lisa served as the band director at Montville High School for three years where she directed the concert, jazz, and marching bands in addition to various other ensembles. Under her direction, these ensembles earned several honors including superior ratings at the Classic Festivals in Annapolis, MD and first place at the 2005 USSBA All-States Marching Band Championships in Allentown, PA. Most recently, the Simsbury High School Saxophone Ensemble was selected to perform at the 2018 Connecticut Music Educators Association state conference in Hartford.

Lisa has been heavily involved in the Connecticut Music Educators Association and is a member of Phi Beta Mu, international band director fraternity, and ASBDA the American School Band Directors Association. She is currently the band director at Simsbury High School where she directs the Symphonic Winds, Percussion Ensemble, Saxophone Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and Pep Band. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hartford and a UCONN Early College Experience (ECE) instructor. Lisa served as the chair of Simsbury's Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, the Trojan Code, for many years. Lisa is honored to be the 2022-23 Kathleen Magowan Teacher of the Year, and a state finalist for the 2023 Connecticut Teacher of the Year.