Welcome! Select the name of your school!
What is Instrumental Music (IM)?
Students who choose to play an instrument at school will be taken out of their regular classroom for lessons during the school day (not after school). Lessons will be scheduled for the same time each week with other students who play the same instrument as you. The schedule will be determined by Ms. Mendez who will work with your classroom teachers. Lessons are between 30-45 minutes in length, depending on your school.
Students of all experience levels are welcome in Instrumental Music classes. This might be your first time trying a new instrument, or you may have been playing an instrument for a long time. Either way, there is a place for you in our program. We offer two levels of classes: Level 1 and Level 2 (for students who began playing in 4th grade or who have additional experience outside of the classroom).
Instrumental Music students will perform in evening concerts during the school year. Level 1 students will play in the Spring concert, while Level 2 students will play in both the Winter and Spring concerts. You will perform as part of a musical ensemble (group).
Demonstration Video
Lessons are offered for the following instruments:
Flute Violin
Clarinet Viola
Alto Saxophone Cello
Trumpet
Trombone
Baritone*
Percussion*
* School dependent
Hi! I'm Ms. Mendez!
I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and attended Barnard College in New York City, where I received my Bachelor's in Music. In high school, I participated in state and nationwide piano competitions as well as enrolling in both my school and city orchestra as a violinist. In undergrad, I was dually enrolled in piano performance at Manhattan School of Music. I obtained my Master's in Music Education from Teachers College of Columbia University in 2022.
I began teaching music in Montgomery County Public Schools in January 2025 as a Long-Term Substitute. I am so excited to begin my first year as a full-time music teacher!
When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time at the piano, talking walks in my neighborhood, long drives to the beach, and traveling across the country to visit friends based in other cities. I am also the proud mother to my fur baby, Luca 🐈🎶
School Numbers:
Sargent Shriver Elementary School (240) 740-4320
Bayard Rustin Elementary School (240) 740-6330
Ms. Mendez's Schedule:
MONDAY
Bayard Rustin ES
TUESDAY
Sargent Shriver ES
WEDNESDAY
Sargent Shriver ES
THURSDAY
Sargent Shriver ES
FRIDAY
Bayard Rustin ES