Posted Sunday November 18 2018 at 7:37 pm
I am a music educator. As an artist, I use music to help my students express themselves, while learning new skills that will allow them to create something enjoyable for the rest of their life. Music is for everyone and anyone can participate. I believe that every student has the right to have music a part of their education whether or not they pursue it after school. I believe that by engaging in music, learners can express themselves with interacting positively with others.
What is your own arts practice?
"Music! Principally French horn, ukulele, and voice."
My experience doing this includes . . .
"I did my undergraduate training at The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'Em), then taught a variety of learners for 4 years in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Now I'm a second year graduate student at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. I love singing with friends and playing with community ensembles."
What grades and art form you will be using in your COOL residency?
"During my COOL residency I will be working with students ages 14-22 learning music."
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Posted Sunday October 14 2018 at 4:25 pm
What are your favorite pastimes?
"Being in nature - hiking, camping, and swimming in any body of water I find. I also love traveling and have been lucky enough to get to travel a lot for gigs! And taking advantage of all the arts offerings in NYC, where I've been based."
If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?
"I love Winnie the Pooh. It'd be great to live in the forest with all my friends (and eating lots of honey wouldn't be too bad either)."
You are trapped on an island. What three items do you want to have with you?
"A copy of Shakespeare's Complete Works, scuba gear, and my trusty, indestructible two-person tent."
Do you have any uncommon talents or quirks?
"Pigeons are my favorite animal! They’re not rats with wings, they're rock doves. Don't judge - Charles Darwin and Nikola Tesla loved them too..."
"Doing lots of outdoor summer theatre has honed my ability to perform while being swarmed by bugs. The worst is when you're lying dead onstage and they’re biting your face and you can't do anything about it...
"
What brings you to VSA?
"I'm currently a master's candidate in the Arts in Education program at HGSE, and I met Mia last spring at Lincoln Center's symposium on arts & autism! I've been working as a theatre artist and educator for the past ten years, most recently building an arts program for a therapeutic school in Manhattan, and I believe the arts are a crucial tool for creating a more just and equitable society. I'm excited to work with and learn from the VSA team and develop my capacity to be of service as an artist-educator."
What are you doing during your fellowship?
"I'll be working with Mia on the management and operations side of COOL Schools, tracking data and managing family communication, designing programs and community events, and working on professional development for teachers. I can't wait to dive in!"
Posted Wednesday October 10 2018 at 1:59 pm
Hello, I'm Lauren! I'm originally from Sudbury, MA and recently graduated in May from Syracuse University. (And here's me in Sydney, Australia where I studied abroad for 4 months!) This year, I'm in the Language and Literacy program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education for the Ed.M. 2019 class.
What are your favorite pastimes?
"Dancing! I love, love, love to dance and I teach classes in my free time. I also enjoy making homemade popcorn and watching the Patriots! :)"
If you could be a cartoon character, who would you be?
"Wanda from The Fairly OddParents - she is funny, she can fly and has amazing pink hair!"
You are trapped on an island. What three items do you want to have with you?
"1. Pizza (YUM!) 2. Hammock (To relax and watch the waves) 3. My brother's dog named Milo (Buddy to play fetch and swim with)"
Do you have any uncommon talents or quirks?
"I can sing all of the states in alphabetical order, I sew blankets for family and friends, and I can make origami sail boats."
What brings you to VSA?
"VSA combines the two things I am most passionate about: inclusive education and the arts. For the past four years, I studied Inclusive Elementary and Special Education and I have been a dancer and performer since elementary school. I want to support educators to make their classrooms and practices inclusive for students of all abilities. I believe that everyone who engages in inclusive education will benefit from it."
What are you doing during your fellowship?
"As a program fellow, my primary focus will be with the COOL Schools program. I will help maintain communication within teaching teams as well as assist with data collection and social media."
