About Ms. Laping

Ms. Mia Laping
Director of Bands

Mia Laping has served as Director of Bands at Swanson Middle School since 2024, directing the three concert bands, jazz band, pep band, and assisting with the high school marching bands. Prior to her time at Swanson, she was the Director of Bands at South Fork High School in Stuart, Florida, where she directed two concert bands, jazz band, percussion ensemble, marching band, and the winter guard. Bands under her direction have consistently received “Superior” and “Excellent” ratings at assessments and festivals. Ms. Laping holds a Bachelor’s of Music from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami (FL), studying Music Education and Saxophone Performance with Professor Dale Underwood. She graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2022 and received the Outstanding Senior in Music Education award. Her performance experience spans multiple instruments, including saxophone, piano, French horn, and mellophone. From 2019-2021, she was a performing member and mellophone section leader for the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps. On saxophone, she has performed four times at the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, and in 2021, she was a finalist in the University of Miami’s Frost Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition, performing the Concerto for Alto Saxophone by Ingolf Dahl. A native of northern Virginia, Ms. Laping attended Woodson High School in Fairfax County and studied saxophone with Ed Fraedrich. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, and playing alto and tenor saxophone in the Fairfax Wind Symphony. She is excited for the opportunity to lead the bands at Swanson, and looks forward to continuing the rich tradition and legacy of excellence in the band program!