Dr. Julia Baumanis is the Assistant Director of Bands at Rutgers University. Her duties include serving as the Assistant Director of the Marching Scarlet Knights, Director of Pep Bands, conducting concert ensembles, and teaching courses in instrumental music. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Baumanis served as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Central Missouri. Dr. Baumanis has also served within the music education community as Multicultural Chair for the Missouri Music Educators Association and on the editorial and design team for The Woman Conductor, the official publication for Women Band Directors International.

A graduate of Florida State University's College of Music, Dr. Baumanis received her bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education, her master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting, and her PhD in Music Education and Instrumental Conducting. She previously taught public school in south Florida as the Associate Director of Bands and Orchestras at J.P. Taravella High School and the Director of Orchestras at Ramblewood Middle School.

An active performer, educator, and researcher, Dr. Baumanis has presented her research nationally, including at the NAfME Research Symposium, the CBDNA National Conference, FMEA, MMEA, IMEA, and the Desert Skies Music Education Research Symposium. Most recently, her research has focused on developing a conductor’s baton that records data collected from a conductor’s expressive gestures. She hopes to implement this technology in the conducting classroom as a technological tool to assist beginning conductors in developing their craft.