Lisa Linde - Newton South High School

Lisa Linde has been the instrumental music director at Newton South High School since 1998. As a teacher and conductor, Lisa directs the Newton South High School Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Honors Chamber Ensembles, Jazz Ensemble, Lab Jazz Ensemble, and four levels of jazz improv courses. Under her direction, Newton South performing ensembles consistently receive state, regional, and national recognition. The Newton South Jazz Ensemble regularly receives top ratings at MAJE state festivals and frequently place in the top four at the Berklee HS Jazz Festival. Most recently the Newton South Jazz Ensemble has been accepted into the 2018 and 2021 Essentially Ellington HS Jazz Festival as well as being selected to the Charles Mingus HS Jazz Festival for the past four years, placing 2nd in 2019.

Lisa is a passionate advocate for gender equality in jazz and is the founder of the nonprofit, Jazzhers, an organization committed to shaping the future of jazz by helping young musicians who identify as female and nonbinary to become connected to and feel empowered within the jazz community.

Lisa received her undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and her master’s degree in Wind Ensemble Conducting from New England Conservatory, where she studied with Frank Battisti. She has served on several boards including MMEA Central District and MICCA as the Solo and Ensemble Chair.