Jessica Billings-White
Lexington Public Schools
Director of Orchestras - 4th & 5th Grade, Middle and High School
String Specialist - Beginning Elementary Strings
Welcome to The LPS Orchestras Page!
Here you will find information about our instrumental programs and orchestras as well as guidance for students and families.
But we will get through it TOGETHER! :D
A letter to my students and future students:
Dear string students and their families,
It is my hope that this website will be a resource for you, whether you are an experienced string player or one who has barely begun their musical journey. Learning to play any musical instrument requires time and patience, just like learning a new math problem or learning to play a sport, like soccer, for the first time.
To the parents of my beginning students (as well as my older and more experienced students), providing them support is huge for their success. Your children need your enthusiasm and positive reinforcement to achieve their goals. If you are interested in seeking private lessons outside of school to assist with your child meeting their goals, please contact Lexington Community Education or send me an email and I will forward you a list of private teachers in the area as well as High School Tutors.
**Please note that Private Lessons outside of school are in NO WAY MANDATORY and are NOT A REQUIREMENT to be successful in School Orchestra.**
To my students, your determination and patience are your greatest tools for success. It is very common to be able to understand in your head what you want to do, but sometimes your fingers or hands don't always get the message. Learning a string instrument is a long term project. I am still learning myself and continue to learn from my students every day. Together we can succeed and I will always be your champion!
Looking forward to a great year!
all the best,
Jessica Billings-White
About me
Ms. Billings-White is honored to be one of four the strings specialists in the Lexington Public Schools. She is currently the only itinerant teacher at the elementary schools, both middle schools and high School.
Ms. Billings-White is an active director, strings teacher and performer in the Greater Boston area. She earned a Bachelors degree of Music in Cello Performance from McGill University and a Master's degree of Music in Cello Performance, Graduate Performance Diploma in String Performance, and a Master's degree of Music in Music Education from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Ms. Billings-White is a member of NAfME, the National Association for Music Education; ASTA (the American String Teachers Association; and MA-ASTA, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American String Teachers Association where she is now past President, Secretary and webmaster. She started her teaching career as a K-5 general music teacher in the New Bedford public school district. After that, she started her full time strings teaching career in the Ipswich Public Schools teaching students grades 5-12 and directing their orchestra ensembles. Additionally, Ms. Billings-White is on the Faculty in the Music Education Department at the Longy School of Music of Bard College where she teaches a Strings Method II class and has been a guest clinician for school districts in Massachusetts.
Her musical background also included Trumpet and French Horn during her middle and high school years in Update New York. Other interests include going on adventures with her husband and three children, making sure her two French Bulldogs (Bear and Bianca) are not tearing up the house, enjoying chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream whenever possible and indoor rock climbing at Central Rock Gyms all over Massachusetts.
Please click on the links below for more information about the different offerings in the Strings and Orchestra Program in Lexington
Middle School Orchestra Program
7th Grade Orchestra
8th Grade Orchestra
High School Orchestra Program
Chamber Orchestra