Michelle Rakers

American-born conductor Michelle Rakers was the senior assistant director for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra from 2004–18. In that capacity, she led the band and orchestra in countless high-profile programs at the White House, in Washington, DC, and across the country.

Her career with the Marine Band began in 1998 after she won a national audition for a trumpet position. She then auditioned and was appointed to the assistant director’s position, becoming the first female conductor and first female commissioned officer in the history of “The President’s Own.” Throughout her tenure, Rakers was an ardent supporter of educational outreach, which included the creation of the national concerto competition for high school musicians.

Rakers is in high demand as a conductor and clinician across the world. She has regularly conducted the Slesvigske Musikkorps in Denmark since 2014, and has conducted other groups such as the Odense Symfoniorkester, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Brass, Prinsens Musikkorps, and the National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain, among others. She was a resident at Helsinki’s Sibelius Academy in 2015 and 2016 and has guest conducted at many universities across the United States.

Rakers earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, her Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from Northwestern University, and her Bachelor of Science degree in music management from the University of Evansville. Additionally, Rakers received an Emmy Award for her part in producing the program United States Marine Band: New England Spirit. She also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Evansville and is an honorary inductee into Tau Beta Sigma, receiving their Outstanding Service to Music Award in 2010.