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Dee Dee Pitts
Dee Dee Pitts

Role(s):

Educational Advisory Team, Summer Symposium Faculty, Urban Education Advisory Committee

Specialties:

Band, Urban Education Programming

Affiliations:

Dorshandrell “Dee Dee” Pitts is in her seventeenth year of teaching band in Mississippi (2022). She was born and raised in Brandon, Mississippi, where her love for music began. As the daughter of a church musician and member of youth/young adult choirs, music was ingrained in her from birth. When the opportunity to join the Brandon Middle School Band arrived, she signed up and never looked back. Ms. Pitts graduated from Brandon High School and furthered her education at Delta State University, where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. She also attended the American Band College through Southern Oregon University, where she received her Master’s of Music degree in Conducting. 
 
She is currently in her thirteenth year with the Gulfport School District (2022), where she serves as the Associate Director of Bands for Gulfport High School. She conducts the Symphonic Band, “G Blues” Jazz Band, music caption head for the Admiral Marching Band, and oversees the middle school programs within the district. She is also an adjunct professor at William Carey University. Before her current position, she served as Director of Bands for Gulfport Central Middle School and assistant director for Winona Public Schools.  
 
Ms. Pitts is a National Board Certified teacher who strives daily to impact each student she encounters positively. Her bands consistently produce Superior ratings, but more importantly, her students learn and produce traits that will take them far beyond the concert halls. Ms. Pitts is a member of the Mississippi Band Director’s Association, American School Band Director’s Association, where she serves as state chair, Gulf Coast Band Director’s Association (past president), Minority Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, and Phi Beta Mu.   
 
Ms. Pitts has served as a guest clinician and presenter throughout the state of Mississippi and surrounding areas which has allowed her to present at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. She has an active private studio dedicated to inspiring future musicians to reach their full potential. She plays Trombone in the Coast Big Band and played with the Mississippi Baptist Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Pitts has earned several awards, including Teacher of the Year for Gulfport Central Middle School and Gulfport School District, Middle School Band Director of the Year and High School Band Director of the Year for the Gulf Coast Band Director’s Association, as well as Phi Beta Mu Band Director of the year. She lives in Gulfport, MS, where she is a charter member of Opportunity Church and loves being active in her community.