Hi!  I am one of the orchestra teachers at Highview Middle School.  I have been an orchestra director for 15 years going strong!  I began playing cello more than 30 years ago in my public school elementary orchestra program in Virginia.  When I was in middle school, I realized that I love music and playing cello.  I knew I wanted to share this love with others for the rest of my life.  I earned my Bachelors in Music Education from Bowling Green State University and my Masters in Music Education from Kent State University.  During and after finishing my degrees, I taught and was a camp counselor at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Michigan, taught grades 4-12 Orchestra in South Dakota, and grades 4-9 Orchestra in Iowa.  I feel beyond excited to start my second year with the amazing students at Bel Air Elementary and Highview Middle School in the Mounds View Public Schools. 

I'm Ms. Elliott! I am starting my second year at Highview and my seventh year of teaching orchestra overall. I grew up in Anoka, Minnesota (Halloween capital of the world!) and began playing bass when I was 11 years old. Throughout middle and high school I grew my love for music by playing in the school orchestra, chamber orchestra, pit orchestras, honors orchestras, all-conference orchestras, and GTCYS! After high school I went to McNally Smith College of Music for bass performance, and then went on to Augsburg University for my Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree. I am currently earning my Master's degree from Concordia St. Paul and will be finished in October 2024. 

Outside of music I love to hang out with my five senior dogs and three senior cats (a lot, I know), meet new animal friends, watch documentaries, garden, hang out outside, spend time with my family, and read. 

I am looking forward to working with all of you this year, and can't wait to make music together!! ♫