Piano with Garine A.

I am a music educator. I received my Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Central Florida in 2011. My higher education started in the Fall of 2006 when I began attending Daytona Beach Community College. My two years there were spent fully engaged in all activities. I finished my GED requirements while participating in many ensembles like the Ormond Beach Symphony Orchestra, Daytona Beach Community College Concert Band, Brass Ensemble, Falcon Pans (steel drum ensemble), Pit Orchestra for musicals, and Choir. All of these ensembles helped me increase my awareness of many different teaching and directing styles. I enjoyed participating in the college’s annual Medieval Yuletide Feast while playing the trombone, tuba, and singing in the choir. These experiences augmented my ability to manage my time while having the opportunity to go to school. Almost every summer since 2005 my church has help send me to Port-du-paix, Haiti, for two weeks at a time. There we are encouraged to do many things involving teaching children, feeding the elderly and needy, and meeting new people that have made a difference in each of our lives. One of the opportunities I had during the summer of 2006 was helping teach two rehearsals of a small brass ensemble. The teacher who was heading the project had brought many donated instruments with her from Kentucky, and distributed them to the students prior to my arrival. She didn't know much about brass instruments (saxophonist), so I got to step in and take the players aside to teach the basics. Even though there was a language barrier, I was able to communicate using hand gestures, my little knowledge of Creole, and the universal language of music. This was one of the best times I have had in my life. Another great accomplishment I have had is being a contra player in the Teal Sound Drum and Bugle Corps for the 2008 season. This opportunity ensured my discipline to tough through hard. The sole act of carrying a brass instrument that weighs over 25 lbs around all summer is a difficult task, but I had a lot of fun doing it. I also got to meet many people all over the United States that play the same instrument I do and have a similar life as mine. We had the overall score of fifth place, but our hard work and perseverance is obvious in our finals performance video. I am a proud sister of Sigma Alpha Iota. I have held important positions including Corresponding Secretary and have headed many chair positions. The sisters of Zeta Tau are a very supportive group full of diversity. Having our weekly meetings and formal business meetings keep me up to date with Robert’s Rules of Order. I have transferred the things I have learned from these meetings to other organizations like CMENC. At the time when I was leaving the college level, I receive the Sword of Honor from our province officer. Every Spring I attend FMEA in Tampa. I made many very important connections with other educators and soon to be educators. I also taught three years at a Title I elementary school in Osceola County, FL. It was a very tough three years, but I am grateful for all of the strategies and steps I've learned to make me a better teacher. In my second year at the school, I received the honor of being voted Teacher of the Year for our school. That was such a humbling time in my career. *** Lesson Details *** Expect to be engaged in learning. That said, I love teaching, and I will work hard to motivate you. Improvement only comes when you've put in the effort, and I'll hold you to that. Each lesson is personalized, depending on the individual (vocational/ avocational). *** Studio Equipment *** Main Room Music: piano, two row of buttons on her accordion, she has all instruments, parents can sit in on lesson, chairs, one couch *** Travel Equipment *** I provide music stands. The student must either buy the music on his/her own or purchase it from me. I would contact the parent or student prior to the lesson. *** Specialties *** I am a certified music teacher in the state of Florida k-12 (ESOL Certified). When it comes to the instruments I teach, my specialization is low brass (I am a tuba player), and the rest I have taught up to an intermediate level.