Einstein Welcomes New Choral Teacher and Theater Director

By Emily Markin

After 39 years as the theater and choral director at Einstein, Peter Smeallie retired, and a new face has been spotted in the VAPA department this year: Rachel Herman.

Herman previously taught fourth grade at Burnt Mills Elementary School, but has made the switch to teaching high school this year. She has enjoyed her transition to Einstein so far, and said that “everyone has been so kind and helpful and welcoming, and there’s a lot of figuring it out as I go, but I have been met with nothing but kindness and grace and people willing to help and step in.” Although the school year has just begun, Herman seems to be fitting in well with the VAPA team. 

The choral department, the theater department, and S.T.A.G.E. are anticipating some changes in the near future, with Herman hoping to focus on “recentering all of the experience on the students, because I think there’s so much to learn and so much to grow.” 

Taking over a position that one person held for 39 years is not easy, but Herman has stepped up to the plate and is prepared to make the most of her first year at Einstein. “It was daunting, but it was also really exciting, knowing that the program was so good for somebody to stay in a position for that long,” Herman said. “It means that there’s a good quality program and there’s good people there.”

The consensus among students regarding Herman has been very positive. “I think she is refreshing and exciting,” said junior Forest Pakzad, an actor and pit orchestra musician in S.T.A.G.E. “I think it will be tedious learning a new way of doing productions, but I think it is beneficial to push ourselves to change and grow.” 

Senior Colbie Graves, a student in Herman’s IB Theater class, Chamber Choir, and an actor in S.T.A.G.E., said that “she brings new life to the choral and theater departments.”

Herman represents a new, younger era for chorus and theater at Einstein. She brings a fresh perspective, which will be exciting to see and experience in the coming years. “I really have noticed, and it’s kind of a funny thing, that when you like what you do, you don’t dread going to work,” Herman said. This mentality shows a promising start for Herman’s time at Einstein, with both VAPA students and faculty eager to see where the rest of the year takes her.