Dr. Susan E. Barnes is a conductor, violinist, educator, and arts leader with nearly thirty years of experience directing orchestral, choral, and educational music programs. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting and Historical Performance Practices from Claremont Graduate University and is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences that inspire artistic excellence, personal growth, and lifelong learning.

Throughout her career, Dr. Barnes has built a reputation as a collaborative conductor, dedicated mentor, and innovative educator. Her experience spans university, youth, community, church, and public-school settings, where she has led ensembles, developed curriculum, mentored emerging educators, and cultivated partnerships that strengthen access to music education. She currently serves as Director and Conductor of the San Bernardino Symphony Overture Orchestra and has appeared as a guest conductor with the California State University, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra and regional honor ensembles throughout Southern California.

A strong advocate for string education, Dr. Barnes helped establish and expand a district-wide string program in Rialto Unified School District from a small after-school initiative serving twenty students to a comprehensive K–12 pathway reaching approximately 500 students annually. Her work emphasizes student-centered instruction, community engagement, leadership development, and creating sustainable opportunities for young musicians to thrive.

As an educator, Dr. Barnes believes that music is about far more than performance. Through participation in ensembles, students develop collaboration, discipline, creativity, communication skills, and a sense of responsibility to something larger than themselves. She is committed to fostering learning environments where students feel valued, challenged, and empowered to achieve goals they may not have thought possible.

Dr. Barnes serves as an Adjunct Professor, Mentor Teacher, and Master Teacher at California State University, San Bernardino, where she supports teacher preparation, string pedagogy, and community music initiatives. Her scholarly interests include string orchestra literature, historical performance practices, conducting pedagogy, music teacher preparation, and data-informed approaches to music instruction.

Whether conducting a university orchestra, mentoring future educators, coaching young musicians, or collaborating with community partners, Dr. Barnes is guided by a belief in the transformative power of music to connect people, build communities, and enrich lives.