About me
Dr. William L. Lake, Jr. is the Director of Concert Bands at the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University. In this role, he conducts the George Mason University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band and teaches conducting and wind literature courses.
Before his tenure at George Mason University, Dr. Lake served as Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Crane School of Music (SUNY-Potsdam), where he was co-conductor of the Northern Symphonic Winds, principal conductor of the Crane Concert Band, and guest conductor of the Crane Wind Ensemble. In addition to these responsibilities, Dr. Lake taught undergraduate conducting, Secondary Wind Practices, Wind Literature, and the pre-service Practicum in Beginning Instruments course.
Dr. Lake earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro under the mentorship of Drs. John R. Locke and Kevin Geraldi. As a graduate student, he served as principal conductor of the University Band and guest conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Casella Sinfonietta Chamber Ensemble, and Symphony Orchestra.
He holds two master’s degrees: a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University (2011) and a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Maryland, College Park (2014), where he studied under Dr. Michael Votta, Jr. Dr. Lake earned his Bachelor of Music in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Jazz Studies (Piano Performance) from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2006, studying with Jon Ozment and Christopher Vadala.
Dr. Lake maintains an active national profile as a guest conductor, clinician, and lecturer. In March 2024, he was named Music and Artistic Director of the Capital Wind Symphony, one of the nation’s premier professional wind ensembles. Based near the Nation’s Capital, the ensemble is comprised of leading musicians from the region, including members of the United States military bands, freelance performers, studio faculty, and music educators.
A church musician for over 37 years, Dr. Lake has served in a wide range of musical and leadership roles across multiple Christian denominations and within culturally diverse worship communities. His sacred music work reflects a deep commitment to stylistic breadth, collaboration, and the integration of traditional and contemporary practices, shaping his artistic voice as both a conductor and programmer.
Dr. Lake is also a champion of new music, particularly works that intentionally blend classical traditions with popular, cinematic, jazz, and other non-traditional genres. His programming and collaborative projects emphasize innovation, accessibility, and audience engagement while honoring the artistic rigor of the wind band tradition.
Recently, Dr. Lake served as a collaborating author for Teaching Instrumental Music: Perspectives and Pedagogies for the 21st Century (Oxford University Press) and Music Education on the Verge: Stories of Pandemic Teaching and Transformative Change (Lexington Books).
As a passionate advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Dr. Lake has presented seminars nationwide on inclusive practices in music education and performance, including appearances at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the College Band Directors National Association Conference, the Texas Music Educators Association Conference, the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, the College Music Society Conference, and the National Association for Music Education Conference.
Dr. Lake is a member of the College Band Directors National Association and serves as National Vice President for Professional Relations for Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. He also holds membership in Pi Kappa Lambda, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
