Nichole Mayes started teaching at IA East in the fall of 2010, and currently teaches all the choir and orchestra ensembles, as well as the 11th grade class of Diploma Programme Music. She attended Eastern Michigan University for a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education, and Oakland University for a Master of Music in Music Education. She is currently working on her PhD in Music Education at Oakland University. She has previously taught 5th through 12th grade orchestra in Clarkston, Kenowa Hills, Walled Lake, and Troy. Mrs. Mayes worked many summers as a chamber music and sectional coach for the MASTA summer camps. She has also performed in several local ensembles, including the Spectrum Orchestra, her church choir, and a few string quartets. She is a frequent guest clinician and sectional coach for other orchestra programs in Southeast Michigan. Mrs. Mayes is the Music Department Chair for all three campuses of the IA. She is also a student of the Alexander Technique, an educational method that combines meditation with the study of anatomy to improve posture-related issues in music performance. She is a member of the American String Teachers Association, as well as MSBOA and MSVMA.

Questions from the IAE Teacher of the Week:

What's your favorite unit to teach?

Can I say all of DP Music? I love music history and theory! Actually, my favorite unit in DP1 Music would have to be teaching about Beethoven. He is the bridge between the Classical era and the Romantic era, and his music represents all the intensity of change and the concept of the artist as a hero. In the ensembles, I love the excitement and possibility that comes with the first few rehearsals in a concert cycle. We're a little bit hesitant that we have the skills to perform this music, but we're excited to stretch our abilities and grow together as an ensemble.

Regarding teaching and education, what are you passionate about? What's important to you?

Constructivism forms the basis of my teaching philosophy: the idea that students come to me with so much prior knowledge and experience with music that has been formed by their social, cultural, and educational experiences, and it's my job as their teacher to honor and value that prior learning and help them expand upon it. It is incredibly important to me that all of my students feel like they matter, that who they are as individuals make our collective ensemble better.

What do you love most about IA East?

The people! I get the privilege to make music with some amazing student musicians who are also just wonderful humans, too. My colleagues are passionate about their subjects and inspire me to be better at what I do. The administration and staff care and provide so much support.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend as much time as I can with my husband and three kids. I have a 10 year old, an 8 year old, and a 4 year old, so we have a lot of dance parties, singalongs (to Disney movies, of course!), and building of crazy Lego inventions. When I'm alone, I love to read and sew. I rarely watch TV or movies, but I will always make an exception for Star Wars!

Anything unique about yourself you'd like to share?

I met my husband in our 6th grade math class. He has been my best friend since we were 11 years old.