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: 2

Number of years she has been teaching violin and/or strings: 13

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  (2006-2007)repertoire: I loved Hoe-Down by Aron Copland.  The students loved this American standard and I loved wearing the hat (courtesy of Alex Miller and the percussion section) during the concert!

For the concert orchestra I'd have to say hands down , the West Side Story medley.  They learned it over a long period of time and really got into it, mastered it, and played it very well at the spring concert.  That was rewarding to go through the learning process with them on that particular piece.

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 2007-2008 season will by my 11^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!”