Dr. William L. Lake, Jr. is a nationally recognized conductor, educator, and arts leader whose

work bridges artistic excellence, inclusive practice, and civic impact. He serves as Music and

Artistic Director of the Capital Wind Symphony, one of the nation’s premier professional wind

ensembles, and as Director of Concert Bands and Associate Professor of Music at the Reva

and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music at George Mason University.

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Appointed Music and Artistic Director of the Capital Wind Symphony in 2024, Dr. Lake leads an

ensemble comprised of elite musicians from across the Washington, D.C. region, including

members of United States military bands, leading freelance performers, studio teachers,

and music educators. Under his leadership, the ensemble has expanded its artistic vision

through major collaborations, consortium premieres, community partnerships, and performances

at Capital One Hall and other prominent venues. His work with the ensemble reflects a commitment

to innovative programming, artistic risk-taking, and meaningful audience engagement.

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At George Mason University, Dr. Lake provides visionary leadership for the Mason Bands program, conducting the Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band and guiding the artistic, curricular, and recruitment strategy for the wind, brass, and percussion areas. He teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, wind literature, and capstone courses focused on professional musical communication, while mentoring graduate conductors who now serve as directors of bands and university faculty nationwide. His leadership emphasizes inclusive repertoire, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the preparation of students for impactful artistic careers. ​ Previously, Dr. Lake served as Associate Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music Education at the Crane School of Music (SUNY–Potsdam), where he also served as Special Assistant to the Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives. 

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Dr. Lake earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where his dissertation focused on performance practice and analysis of John Mackey’s Songs from the End of the World. He holds a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Maryland, College Park, a Master of Music Education from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Studies (Piano Performance) from the University of Maryland. His academic training reflects a rare synthesis of conducting, pedagogy, scholarship, and applied musicianship.

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An active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Dr. Lake maintains an extensive national and international schedule, appearing at honor bands, festivals, and conferences across the United States and Canada. He has presented at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, College Band Directors National Association Conferences, National Association for Music Education Conference, Texas Music Educators Association Conference, and numerous state and regional conferences. His work frequently centers on musical interpretation, conducting pedagogy, inclusive programming, and the social impact of the arts.

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Dr. Lake’s scholarship includes contributions to Teaching Instrumental Music: Perspectives and Pedagogies for the 21st Century, Disruption to Discovery: Music Teacher Educators’ Stories of Pandemic Teaching and Visionary Futures, and articles in Teaching Music. He is also a consortium partner and commissioning conductor for new works by composers including Will Healy, Nkeiru Okoye, Hilary Purrington, Omar Thomas, and others, and has led reference recordings for C. Alan Publications.

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His leadership and artistic work have been recognized through numerous grants and honors, including ArtsFairfax Operating Support Grants, a $50,000 Anti-Racist Collaboration Grant at George Mason University, multiple American Prize finalist distinctions, and institutional awards for inclusive leadership and teaching excellence.

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Dr. Lake serves as National Vice President for Professional Relations for Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, and holds leadership and advisory roles with the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, United Sound, and the Institute for Composer Diversity. He is a co-founder of I SEE YOU: Affirming Representation in Classical Music, an organization dedicated to increasing representation, mentorship, and access across the music profession.