What inspired you to get into the field of education?:
Choosing to become a music teacher was effortless for me. In high school, I knew I loved music and working with kids. It seemed like it would be the best job in the world, and it truly is!
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?:
Seeing kids develop as musicians from a very young age and watching them grow up to become music-loving adults.
General background information (years in education, degree(s), Universities/Colleges attended):
I have been at Polaris since 2012 and began my teaching career in 2002. I have also taught in the Chicago suburbs, Denver, Berlin, Germany, and schools in Poudre School District: Putnam Elementary, Mountain Schools and Lincoln Middle School.
I received my undergraduate degree in Vocal Music Education at North Central College in Naperville, Illinois and my Master’s Degree in Music Education with a Kodály Emphasis at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where I studied with the great Sister Lorna Zemke and Dr. John Feierabend. I earned my Kodály Certificate and trained in Feierabend’s First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege, and also trained in Modern Band by Music Will, formerly Little Kids Rock. Currently, I am developing curriculum for the full-inclusion Modern Band classroom, focusing on creativity, expression, collaboration, and including the role of sound engineer in music class. I have presented about these topics across the country, including for the National Association for Music Education Conference, Modern Band Summit, Colorado Music Educators Conference, Iowa Music Educators Conference, and a guest panelist for Hal Leonard.
Recognitions:
2023 & 2024 Quarterfinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award
2024 NEA Global Learning Fellowship to Costa Rica & Washington D.C.
Contributing author for The Modern Band Handbook: Practical Perspectives and Lessons for Music Educators by Oxford University Press, soon to be published
2023 Polaris Songwriters selected to perform at the Colorado Music Educator Conference, first ever popular music ensemble
Recipient to numerous education grants surpassing $100,000
Interests/Hobbies:
I love spending time with my husband, a PSD teacher, my kids and our fluffy dog and two cats. In my spare time, I enjoy singing, playing ukulele and flute, fostering kittens and traveling. Our most recent trip was to Oaxaca, Mexico!
Thought Provoking Quote:
If you cannot teach me to fly, teach me to sing! -Sir James Barrie (author of Peter Pan)
My Classroom
Courses Taught:
K-5 Music with a Modern Band Focus
6th-8th Modern Band and Music Technology
9th-12th Modern Band, Songwriting and Recording Studio
6th-8th Crew
Past Intensives & Adventure Trips: Fun in the Fort, Denver Arts, New York City, Advanced Modern Band, Disney Sing-along, Willy Wonka the Musical, and Mulan the Musical