About Me

About your teacher/director...

Hi, I am Ms. Smith, and I am super excited that you are in my class! I am a huge advocate for learning an instrument in a school ensemble because I have experienced the benefits myself. My goal as your teacher, is to make sure you feel safe, have fun, feel accomplished, while also learning to work hard, work together, and start building your band community.

From singing songs to watching Disney's Fantasia as a young child, I have always loved music. However, when I chose to play the flute in my fifth grade band, that is when my musical journey truly began. As a quiet and reserved child, the flute became my voice. In middle school, I added the piccolo to my concert band playing and started learning saxophone for jazz band. By high school, my level of playing had "out-grown" the flute I was playing, so I invested in a professional flute. I have yet to own a piccolo or saxophone, but I am currently investing in a piccolo and then a bass flute.

I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education: Broad Area (three endorsements to teach preK-12 Choral, Instrumental, and General Music) from Central Washington University. While attending Central, I participated in concert bands, marching band, jazz bands, flute choir, pit orchestras, and recitals. I was also one of the first undergraduate students to conduct the flute choir (an ensemble solely of instruments in the flute family). I learned much from friends and professors there and have played/conducted in a few ensembles since then.

My first job out of graduating was working at a music store. Then, I learned a lot more about being a teacher after substituting for the Bellevue school district (about one year). My first official teaching position served students at three elementary schools in the Lake Washington school district (1 year, general music), followed by a placement in the Issaquah school district (1 year, general music). I was hired by Northshore school district as a general music teacher and would later add the experience of teaching the extra-curricular fifth grade band. When fifth grade band and orchestra became an in-school program, I shifted gears to completely focus on teaching my musical roots; band. I have been teaching for several years now and I still find that I enjoy teaching this complex yet rewarding subject to students. Thinking back, when I started having band every school day, I noticed that I improved more quickly in my other academics as well (there's now some research to back this up). But I may have never chosen band in middle school if I did not have the opportunity in fifth grade. I hope to not only translate my passion of music to students, but build a sense of community, as well as support the learning of other academics.

Now, more than ever, we have reasons to justify why we do this demanding, yet rewarding activity. Experts have concluded that the study of music helps with spatial reasoning, test taking, developing social skills, emotional development, leadership, and teamwork. Practicing an instrument consistently has also shown to benefit other academics. The ultimate goal is a lifelong love and appreciation for quality music and music making!

For other things about me, I have a dog named Luna, though I'm more of a cat person. I like to play my flute, play video games, watch tv, go on walks, organize, learn new things, and teach things I learned to better help others.