Lyle-Smith, Eva Diane: - Dr. Eva Diane Lyle-Smith, Trumpeter, Music Educator and Band Director has taught music on pre K-college for over 40 years. She is a retired Band Director and Teacher of Music with the Camden City Schools in Camden, NJ. Dr. Eva is the first female Band Director in the Historical Black Colleges and Universities, (HBCU) Fayetteville State University, NC 1977-80. She is the first female band director in the C.I.A.A. (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association). Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, Lyle-Smith received the B. S., M.M, and Ph.D. in Music Education with emphasis in Trumpet and Jazz from Hampton University, VA; Bowling Green State University, OH; and the University of North Texas, TX. She is the second African-American to receive the Ph.D. in Music Education from UNT. Dr. Eva performs on trumpet and direct bands professionally throughout the United States and Abroad. She has performed at Carnegie Hall, NY; Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts, DC; and the World Exposition Fair, LA. Dr. Eva is an Apollo Theater Alumnus, NY; a member of the Vashon High School Hall of Fame, MO; the successor to jazz patriot, Ellis Marsalis at Xavier University, LA.; and, recorded on LYLE Records, PA. She is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc., (NARAS) which promotes the Grammy Awards. Dr. Eva has met, performed and/or shared the stage with Billy Eckstein, Frankie Laine, Dakota Staton, Abbey Lincoln, Hank Crawford, Ellis, Wynton, Bradford, Delfeayo and Jason Marsalis, Allen Toussaint, Etta James, Fats Domino, the Staple Singers, Patti La Belle, Burning Spear and his Burning Band, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley's side men, Tonight Show Musicians, Miles Davis, Nat Adderly, Cab Calloway, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Milton Hinton and others. She has interviewed on Temple Univ. WRTI 90.1 FM Women in Jazz, and listed in Downbeat Magazine. She performed at the New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival, Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz Mardi Gras Debutant Balls and the Jamaican School of the Arts. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pershing Angels Military Sorority, the Order of Eastern Star and Honorary Member of Tau Beta Sigma National Band Sorority. Dr. Eva resides in Philadelphia and is divorced with one Son and two grandsons.
Dr. Eva received the 2023 Dr. Judith M. Owens Spirit Award: A Champion of Ethnic-Minority Rights, Issues, and Education through the New Jersey Educators Association. She is selected to teach music globally through the Forte Music Platform partnership with the Recording Academy of Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Eva continues to perform and tour throughout the United States and Abroad.