Dr. Wendy Barden
Director of Professional Development and Resources, Outreach
wendy.barden@pcae.k12.mn.us | 763-279-4187
Dr. Wendy Barden has been a part of the Professional Development and Resource Programs (PDR) team at Perpich Center for Arts Education since 2018. She first served Minnesota music educators as the music education specialist and in 2022, accepted the leadership role of PDR Director.
Barden is retired from ISD 279. She began her career teaching instrumental and general music, and served 21 years as K-12 Music Coordinator in the district. Wendy has been honored as a Yamaha National Mentor Teacher, the 1992 Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Band Educator of the Year, and 2013 Yale Distinguished Music Educator. In 2014, Barden was inducted into the MMEA Hall of Fame. She is an active author, with many student and teacher resources published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company.
Barden holds B.S. and M.A. degrees in music education from the University of Minnesota. Her Ph.D., also from the University of Minnesota, is in music with emphasis in music education and musicology. She is particularly passionate about standards, assessment, and student engagement.
Wendy and her husband are proud parents of two grown sons.