Susan Bawden, a student of Ronald Tyree, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Music degree. She has experience teaching in the public schools, and as a woodwind instrument repair technician. She has been a charter member of the Quad City Wind Ensemble, and is a charter member of the Classique Quintette. She has been a member of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra since 1976. Susan is an instructor of bassoon for Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. As a member of the Augustana College Faculty Woodwind Quintet, Susan performs the Woodwind Outreach Tours sponsored by the Quad City Symphony Orchestra Association. Mrs. Bawden has been a double reed artist teacher at the International Music Camp in North Dakota, has been a clinician for the Double D.A.R.E. double reed clinic, presented by the North East Iowa Bandmasters, and has promoted bassoon awareness with the BBB Bassoon Quartet tours, the latest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. In May of 2005, she presented a clinic for the Iowa Bandmaster Conference with Dr. Kristine Fletcher of the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. The summer of 2006 was spent with a tour of Europe with the Iowa Ambassadors of Music. Susan has freelance performing opportunities as principal bassoon in her local area with opera, ballet, chamber orchestra, ensembles, and recitals. She also maintains a private lesson studio. Susan keeps current with double reed activities as a member of the International Double Reed Society.
Susan lives at home with her husband, Jim, who is the music specialist for the Davenport Community School District, Davenport, Iowa, and a dog and cat. Her daughter Anne, is married to husband Jonathan and is teaching 1st grade in Florida. Her daughter Beth is a graduate student studying Occupational Therapy.