April Linard has been the Director of Bands at Union Local High School in Belmont, Ohio, for the past nine years. This fall one of her students, Hannah Smith, asked Linard to nominate her for an audition for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band, Linard eagerly agreed. And Smith was accepted. In New York, Linard learned that “Hannah’s audition came in first out of all of 24 selected flute players – and out of all applications from all over the country.”Linard and Smith arrived in New York City a week before Thanksgiving and spent their days rehearsing and sight-seeing. “My favorite moments were actually marching in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade,” Linard said. “It was an awesome experience to see so many people wave to you and wish you ‘Happy Thanksgiving’ along the parade route.”
Linard teaches all bands grades 5-12, 7th grade general music, and high school theatre.