If I'm being honest, reading is the last thing I think to do. Listening to music? Yes. Watching Netflix? 100%. Watching my toddler and doing a thousand loads of laundry? All day every day.
That being said, reading is such a vital part of our professional development. Learning from every authors passion, experience, wisdom, and unique perspectives through their writing is an invaluable tool that impacts our growth as educators. So without further ado, these are a few of my favorite MUST READS for music educators right now!! Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
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Erica is a voice teacher in the Lakewood, CO area. She has taught privately for 15 years and has also been a public school music teacher in Montana. She has a BA in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral and Vocal Performance from the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University in MN. She also has her MM in Vocal Performance from the University of Denver. She sings professionally as a Lyric Soprano.
I have learned so much from Erica about the singing voice. Specifically the high school singer's instrument. She has worked with my students for many years and given master classes that I always find fascinating and insightful. She also has such a great rapport with high school students. They always love learning from her.
What is so special about Erica from a high school choral teacher perspective is her understanding of how to work WITH the choir director for the benefit of first the student, and second, the choral program. I have no doubt that this is both because she herself is a certified music educator, and also her mom has been a high school choir teacher for many years. Erica understands how important it is to collaborate closely with her students’ other music/singing experts in their lives. She is always willing to help me out, my singers, my fundraisers, etc. she never misses a choir concert or performance that her students are a part of, and she constantly takes the time to stay in touch with me to see how she can help. Beyond all of that, she is also a brilliant musician, singer, and voice teacher.
This will be my 30th year as a public school choir teacher. I have met so many fabulous voice teachers and my students and program have always benefitted greatly from their work. I always know when a voice teacher’s interest goes beyond their students vocal growth to include their physical and emotional health, their maturity and accountability, their place in their school choir program and theater productions, their ability to communicate with directors, and their relationships with those directors. Erica's understanding of how all these important aspects of a high school student’s musical life work together is invaluable. Since Erica and I sat down for our introductory meeting in my school office we have been good friends, professional collaborators, and a great team for the education of our shared students. This leads to a feeling of support and certainly strengthens my work at Green Mountain High School.
I have many favorites but I’ll just say the first time she came to Green Mountain to introduce herself to me. I found out she was a mountain biker, lover of the outdoors, and we clicked instantly. Lots of laughter and shared experiences and philosophies. Oh, another one is when she agreed to chaperone my choir retreat even after she found out it meant sleeping in the same cabin with 16 high school girls. She was also pregnant at the time.
Thank you to Dave Gleason for writing this amazing nomination! Have someone you'd like to highlight? Click here!
In this interview, Janice speaks to those considering music ed as a career, the transition and vulnerability of online learning, and the power of music. It's a quick listen and has takeaways that inspire. Check it out!