Education

Bachelor of Music Performance, Wheaton College

Master of Music Performance, DePaul University

Illinois Teacher Certification Program, DePaul University

Number of years taught in District 211: 3

Number of years she has been teaching violin and/or strings: 15

Where Miss Young taught previously:  Wheaton College Conservatory, Wheaton College Community School of the Arts, Northern Illinois Suzuki Program

Words my students have used to describe me:   funny, challenging, crazy (but in a good way), and encouraging.

Favorite work from last year’s  (2007-2008)repertoire: I loved Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.  I love the lush harmonies of this piece.  Of course, I love Stravinsky so the Danse Infernale was one of my favorites as well.

What she would like to see happen with the SHS orchestras: I would like to see growth both in the depth of musicianship and I would like to see an increase in the number of students involved.  I would also like to develop a leadership team that is committed to taking ownership of the groups, and to helping develop an espirit de corps between students. 

Favorite composer:  that’s a tough one. I love Russian classical music—Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev to name a few.  But… I adore Bach and Brahms too.  There are so many brilliant composers out there!  I can hardly choose.

Earliest musical memory: having my mom sing to me as a small child

I also remember one of my first violin lessons at age 5. I remember standing on a placemat and having my feet drawn on the back of it.  I was taking the Suzuki method at the time (Suzuki stresses focus and discipline even at that age) It was so fun playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.  I remember playing for our neighbors.

Favorite orchestra:  the Elgin Symphony Orchestra since I play in it!  The 2008-2009 season will by my 12^th year as a member.  I love it.  I think it informs my teaching and it refreshes my musical spirit.  It is really fun to see my students out in the audience too!

What I like to do when I am not playing my violin or teaching: spending time with friends or family, watching movies, exercising, attending church activities, and reading

Favorite movies: Sense and Sensibility, Dead Poets Society, and When Harry Met Sally

Teaching Philosophy

I believe music is an integral, vital part of a student’s education, public or private.  Music, as a unique art, affords the opportunity to explore avenues of artistic discovery, in addition to providing a place where the other subject areas can play, commingle, and reflect.

To be a part of an orchestra is to be a part of a team. Every person is valuable.   The whole depends on the strength of each individual.  I strive to foster motivated learning so that each student experiences true musical progress.   Over time, they collectively experience the process of making great music together. I endeavor to communicate this truth through the rehearsal techniques and strategies I select.  Every person acquires skills differently, and it is important to try to maximize each student’s learning paths.

I believe it is important to foster a healthy practice ethic, for when excellence is reached, the more gratifying the process and result.  To simply dabble is to short-change the entire experience.  Learning to play an instrument is a detailed, multi-faceted process that engages the mind, spirit, and heart.  I believe the partnership between teacher and student when learning an instrument is magnified because of its complexity.  Since I was a private violin teacher for 11 years prior to teaching orchestra, I am acutely aware of the student’s need to connect with a teacher in order to feel safe, motivated, and inspired.

Orchestra is a social group.  It can be and is a home within school.  Fostering this spirit de corps is a priority for me, and it informs my decisions about how I encourage the students to interact with one another, and what activities I choose.  The other orchestra directors in the district and I work hard to provide opportunities that combine music and friendship, as the two often go hand in hand.

The literature I select is another reflection of my philosophy.  I believe it is important to experience a wide range of literature, including classical, contemporary, folk, popular, and jazz.   While they might not find every piece “fun,” I want the music to be enjoyable, and surprisingly, they often like pieces they originally did not like!

As in the words of Shakespeare: “If music be the food of love, play on!”