By Morgan Stashick

One of the South's finest choral directors and music educators has made her way to Auburn. This month, Sara Lynn Baird begins her Auburn career as the new Chair of the Music Department.

Baird earned a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Florida State University, a Master of Music in Voice Performance from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education with an emphasis on Choral Conducting from Florida State University.

Her previous position was Interim Dean of the College of Music and Dramatic Arts at Louisiana State University. Baird also served as Associate Dean for the College of Music and Dramatic Arts from 1998-2007 and Director of Graduate Studies from 2005-2007. 

"This is my first employment with Auburn and I am coming here from LSU, so I will be changing my tiger stripes to blue and orange!" Baird said.

Baird has been choral and music director for several schools and churches across the southeast. She has published and contributed numerous choral reviews to the Choral Journal, has coauthored an article published in the Southeastern Journal of Music Education, and has served as president for the southern division of the American Choral Directors Association from 2005-2007.