{"podcast":{"title":"Band Director Boot Camp","slug":"band-director-boot-camp-6386244","podcast_index_feed_id":6386244,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/mpowerededucator/feed.xml","website_url":"https://mpowerededucator.com","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/mpowerededucator/20250304_020342_929302e5f2144ed7c729a9f34763f56c.png","author":"Lesley Moffat","episode_count":123,"summary":"Welcome to the Band Director Boot Camp Podcast, where we help busy band directors amplify their impact—not their workload. This is your space to find practical strategies, fresh inspiration, and a community that understands the unique demands of your role. As a band director, you’re constantly balancing rehearsals, performances, administrative tasks, and student needs. It’s easy to feel like more effort is the only solution. But what if you could elevate your program and protect your time and energy? That’s exactly what this podcast is here to help you do. Over the past four seasons, we’ve connected with directors from all walks of life who have discovered smarter, more sustainable ways to run their programs. Each episode is packed with actionable tips and real-world strategies to help you work more efficiently, prioritize what matters, and create a thriving band culture—without running yourself into the ground. Through every conversation, we break down the barriers that make this profession overwhelming and build a community where we support each other’s growth. We celebrate the wins, learn from the tough moments, and stay focused on one mission: making it possible for you to lea…","last_synced_at":null,"page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/band-director-boot-camp-6386244"},"episode":{"title":"“Lone Wolf Band Director: How Mike Perez Built Support Systems Without a Full Team”","slug":"lone-wolf-band-director-how-mike-perez-built-support-systems-without-a-full-team","published_at":"2026-02-11T08:01:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/band-director-boot-camp-6386244/lone-wolf-band-director-how-mike-perez-built-support-systems-without-a-full-team","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/band-director-boot-camp-6386244","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/mpowerededucator/2538610","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/210675/2538610/mpowerededucator/2026_02_10_02_58_41_9ca12b79-93e4-4782-9268-956f6f137f1d.mp3","summary":"If you’re running a band program solo, you already know the math doesn’t math. Not enough time, not enough hands, and somehow you’re still expected to keep the program thriving without it taking over your entire life. In this episode, Lesley Moffat talks with middle school band director Mike Perez, a 25-year veteran who’s learned how to build a high-performing program without burning out, even as the “lone wolf” on campus. Mike shares the real systems he’s used to protect his personal life, advocate for support, and keep the focus where it belongs: on teaching kids. You’ll hear two game-changing strategies that don’t require a second band director: A weekly parent volunteer who comes in for two hours to handle admin tasks like concert programs, permission slips, and organizing payments A paraprofessional support period that helps with grade entry, freeing up hours each week Mike also breaks down what it looks like to own your planning period , set clear boundaries with families, and build relationships that genuinely strengthen your program, from office staff to administrators to coaches. And if your students are stretched thin across sports, clubs, and life, Mike shares how he navigates the tug-of-war by communicating proactively with coaches so kids aren’t stuck in the middle. Toward the end, Mike highlights the growing library of “young band” teaching resources he’s created, including YouTube and Instagram tips that cover practical beginner-to-early-intermediate band problems, plus his best advice for any lone wolf director: bring in a trusted consultant to watch you teach in real time and help you grow faster. Website: www.mikeperezband.com Instagram: @mastering_the_young_band Payhip: www.payhip.com/mikeperez","meta_description":"If you’re running a band program solo, you already know the math doesn’t math. Not enough time, not enough hands, and somehow you’re still expected to kee…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1354,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/band-director-boot-camp-6386244/episodes/lone-wolf-band-director-how-mike-perez-built-support-systems-without-a-full-team/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/band-director-boot-camp-6386244/lone-wolf-band-director-how-mike-perez-built-support-systems-without-a-full-team.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}