Dream Career

Up until my senior year in high school I had always wanted to be a high school choral director at a fine arts high school. I thought that is what I had my heart set on and I believed that my mind would never change. I was very content with being a choral director because I was not really aware of all of the possibilities in music besides a chorus teacher. Doing something other than music has never been an option for me because music is my heart and I love it way too much. My senior year in high school I had the privilege of being a Teacher Cadet. The first semester we learned a lot about how to be a teacher, how to handle a classroom, and I also learned a lot about me. The second semester we had the opportunity to actually student teach in our own classroom. Being from Easley, I did not have many options with choosing a music class to student teach in. I was not allowed to teach in the same high school chorus that I was in, and I knew that I did not want to teach middle school. I ended going to an elementary school that was near my high school. I got to student teach 5th grade music at West End Elementary School and it was probably the best experience I have ever had. The music teacher is young and fairly new to teaching but she was very welcoming to me. I started out just observing for a couple of weeks and then the teacher let me teach some lessons and eventually I was able to teach entire classes. I absolutely loved teaching the children! It was somewhat like a rollercoaster as I was in the process of teaching because I had to learn the hard way that every teacher has their good days and sometimes they have days that just don’t go as planned.

Now that I am in college and I think back on the experience I had at West End, I have my heart set on being an elementary school teacher. I love children and I would absolutely love to be able to teach them music. And plus, don’t you remember your elementary music teacher?  I am not sure geographically where I want to teach, but I do know that I am probably going to stay away from the very small town of Easley, SC. I would love to teach in a bigger town but not big like New York City. Honestly, once I finish school and begin looking for a job, my goal is going to be just to find one. I would love to move up north a little bit and teach at a majority middle class school.

I want to teach elementary music so I would be teaching typically kindergarten through 5th grade. Since all students take music, it is very exciting to think that I would get to know every student in the school! The advantage of this life is the fact that I would be able to get up every morning and teach something I love to children! I cannot wait to be able to express my passion to students in a fun and exciting way and maybe I will inspire them to become musicians or at least to have an appreciation for music. Also an advantage is that I would be doing something that I love and it wouldn’t matter where I was or who I was with. If I love what I am doing, I am going to be happy.

A problem with this dream is that I will not be making that much money. Teachers do not make a lot of money so you really have to love what you are doing. I think that I will make enough to live but I know that I will not be able to live in my dream house or drive my dream car right off the bat. I am not really worried about money because I will be doing what I love.
To prepare for my dream career, I am taking music classes and I am majoring in music education. This Jan. Term I am hoping to take Introduction to Music Education. This class is also one of the reasons I am at Converse. I had the opportunity to sit in on that class when I came for an overnight and I had a blast in the class and that is why I cannot wait to take it! This summer I really want to get involved with summer music camps. I have a friend who taught at the summer camp here this past summer, so I am hoping she can help me with getting involved with that. Also, this summer I would really like to start teaching piano lessons. Last year, I was a teacher assistant in the Piano I and II class at my high school and I really learned a lot about teaching piano. I want to start teaching and getting involved with teaching students as soon as possible so I can learn as much as I can before I actually go into the classroom.

Music is my Passion and Stress Relief

1.       1. Since starting Converse, I have often wondered what in the world I am doing. I absolutely love playing the piano but it has been a little overwhelming lately. I feel as if I am working on the most challenging pieces I have ever played, which is both terrifying and exciting. Lately I have been having trouble working on the music in small chunks. I have just been trying to push through the entire piece because I feel like I am running out of time. Some days I just sit in the practice room and wonder what I have gotten myself into. One of the pieces that helps me get through the times when my new music has me to my wits-end is Mozart’s “Rondo Alla Turca.” Whenever I get down and out I just start playing this piece and it completely takes my mind away from whatever it is that has me down. This is one of my favorite pieces I have ever played for many reasons. I auditioned to Converse with this piece and before my audition date I had a lesson with Dr. Weeks. In my lesson, we worked really hard on this piece and I felt like I had a lot to improve on so I went home and for the next two weeks I tried my best to follow exactly what Dr. Weeks had suggested I correct. After my audition, Dr. Weeks came up to me and told me how much I had improved on the piece and how he appreciated how I had made it my own. That was a very exciting moment and I can still remember the conversation with Dr. Weeks! I chose this video because it is from my Senior Recital at Furman University. This piece was the final piece of my 30 minute recital. My Senior Recital was one of the best days of my entire life. It ended ten years of piano at Furman and symbolized a new beginning of piano at Converse!

2.      2.  Another reason I turn to music is for peace in my very chaotic life. I chose the song “Someone Life You” by Adele because it always seems to calm my nerves and help me relax. Actually, I just pulled up a bunch of Adele songs on my Itunes and told my roommate to just pick one. I absolutely love Adele. I think that she is an amazing musician and she isn’t all made up with fame and fortune like most singers these days. I think Adele’s music is very real and most of her songs I can connect to on a personal level. Her music is very soothing and relaxing. I like the fact that she doesn’t have to try and model herself after the stereotypical performer. Whenever I need to relax and chill out I always turn to Adele.

3.       3. One of my favorite hobbies is going to see bands live. I love going to venues like the Channel in Greenville, SC and hearing all of the bands play. I just like going to concerts in general. I have been to many concerts in many different genres from beach, rock, country, and even hardcore. I like to compare the different bands and I like to take in all of the different stage shows. I have learned that every band has a different stage show. Some performers like to connect with their audience more than others and some are just there to sing their music. As a performer, I find it interesting to view and compare many different performances. I chose this song and video because this was the last concert I went to. I saw Andy Grammer at College Fest in Downtown Spartanburg and ever since then I have listened to his music almost every day! I even got to meet him, take pictures with him, and get his autograph! Even though it was a very low-key and chill concert, it was one of my favorites!