Audition Prep with Mercedes M.

Waubonsie Valley HS, Washington MS

Selected to work alongside talented and experienced music educators in the Chicagoland area at the middle school and high school level.

West Aurora HS

Directed and instructed a historic 9th-12th grade marching band in Aurora IL in marching and music skills. As one of the first high school band programs in the country beginning in 1920, they just celebrated their 101st anniversary.

Wayland School District (MI)

Worked with a trumpet section on fundamentals of musicality, marching, and trumpet playing over the course of a week of marching band camp; the focus was on developing aural skills, increasing range on the instrument, playing with good tone and confidence, and reading/learning music for their show.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Performing in the band/orchestra setting on trumpet and euphonium, along with numerous other instruments.

Smith Walbridge Clinics

Taught/assisted high school student in leadership positions at their schools to become confident, positive role models for their organization. Students developed marching, teaching, and musical skills on and off the marching band field.

West Aurora High School Summer Program

Worked with trumpet sections from the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands, focusing on learning music, developing fundamentals on trumpet playing (good tone, air control, range, articulation, phrasing) in the concert and jazz setting.

West Aurora High School

Tutored 5-6 sessions of trumpet/cornet players per week- individually addressing challenges and goals they want to achieve. Provided assistance with audition preparation, increasing aural skills, playing musically, and enjoying the instrument.

Aurora American Legion Band

Performing in numerous contexts, typically in military style, for summer holidays and outdoor/indoor venues, at parades and concerts. Jobs include playing Taps, marches, and new, innovative music.

West Aurora High School

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Smith Walbridge Clinics

In recognition of excellence in musical leadership, conducting, marching, and advanced proficiency in marching band procedures.

University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

Bachelor of Music Education- certified to teach K-12 general, technology, band, choral, and orchestral courses.

College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

United States Marine Youth Foundation

West Aurora High School Bands

The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1921.

Sigma Alpha Iota is a professional International Music Fraternity for women. Formed to uphold the highest standards of music and to further the development of music in America and throughout the world, it continues to provide musical and educational resources to its members and the general public.Sigma Alpha Iota operates its own national philanthropy, Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc.

National Association for Music Education (NAfME), among the world’s largest arts education organizations, is the only association that addresses all aspects of music education. NAfME advocates at the local, state, and national levels; provides resources for teachers, parents, and administrators; hosts professional development events; and offers a variety of opportunities for students and teachers. The Association orchestrates success for millions of students nationwide and has supported music educators at all teaching levels for more than a century. Since 1907, NAfME has worked to ensure that every student has access to a well-balanced, comprehensive, and high-quality program of music instruction taught by qualified teachers.

The National Band Association, founded on September 11, 1960, is the largest professional organization for bands in the world. It was organized for the purpose of promoting the musical and educational significance of bands and is dedicated to the attainment of a high level of excellence for bands and band music. NBA is an organization open to anyone and everyone interested in bands, regardless of the length of experience, type of position held, or the specific level at which one works. The membership roster includes men and women from every facet of the band world. NBA is today’s professional organization for band directors, and it stands ready to serve all members of the association through a variety of projects and initiatives.

Founded on the campus of Oklahoma State University on November 27, 1919, Kappa Kappa Psi is a guiding light with which band students can grow, learn, and develop themselves and their band programs. Kappa Kappa Psi is an organization of opportunity and quality, brimming with historic, well-developed leadership and membership programming that students use to become great leaders, better band members and better adapted young adults prepared for what lies ahead of them.

Native Proficiency

Professional Proficiency