"Music for life.The goal is music for life." -author unknown
Students learn best when they are engaged, they enjoy what they are learning, and they have an opportunity to grow as musicians. As a music educator for over 20 years with experience teaching as a Band Director in the public schools (grades K-12) as well as teaching privately I am passionate about my students learning to read music flue
ntly through the Bastien Method Piano Series Lesson Books, and the Standard of Excellence series for Wind Band Instruments. Once they know the basics I am then able to provide a variety of music, such as movie soundtracks, popular, classical in addition to their lesson books that will allow them to become more engaged as they choose the supplemental music they wish to play. Students choose the music they wish to share at recitals from the music they have been working on in order for them to claim ownership of their talent and hard work. Students can choose to prepare solos for the NYSSMA festivals, and Levels 1-6 preparation are offered. In addition students that are interested in composition are encouraged to write their music and share it at our performances. ABOUT ME:
I earned a Bachelors of Science in Music Education and a Masters of Arts Degree with a concentration in Wind Conducting from Hofstra University. At age 6 I began studying the organ at The Music Stop in Queens, NY, and at age 11 I began studying with Mr. Andrew Andela, the Organist and Choir Director of The Church on The Hill. I began performing at the age of 12 on piano and pipe organ for Church services and continued my music education at St. Francis Preparatory School earning a 5 year Music Regents Diploma, and was awarded the Music Medal for the highest average in Music in my graduating class of 700+. I attended Hofstra University where I studied with Dr. Peter L. Boonshaft, author of "Teaching Music with Passion", and studied clarinet with Naomi Drucker, founder of The American Chamber Ensemble and wife of Stanley Drucker, the first chair clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic for 60 years. I performed in the Hofstra University Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band as a clarinetist for 10 years. I have worked with wind band composers such as James Swearingen, Carl Strommen, Elliot Del Borgo, and David Holsinger, and have premiered new music of many wind band composers such as Robert W. Smith, John de Meij, and David Gillingham. As an educator my students' performances have included Walt Disney World, the New York City's St. Patrick's Day Parade, Giants Stadium, and the Aqueduct for Pope John Paul II. As a member of the Copiague's Marching Band Staff their 1998 championship year my former students then became NY State Marching Band Champions for consecutive years, marched in the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and performed in the Nicholas Cage movie, "Lord of War". I relocated to the Capital Region in 2002 and became the Junior-Senior HS Band Director for 3 years at Hoosic Valley CSD and received early tenure. In order to be the teacher and mother I want to be I decided to stay home to raise my family when my daughters were born 11 months apart and my youngest daughter was born premature. My daughters are both musicians, and my former students have careers in the music business in Los Angeles. I am very grateful for all the wonderful opportunities being a Band Director, Private Music Instructor, and Business Owner has brought to me, and I look forward to many more years of sharing music with students. I have been privately teaching since 1996 and I created Musical Endeavors, LLC in 2012.
