Professional Biography

Carolyn Loney has a passion for connecting the choral art to student’s self-discovery, creativity, aesthetic growth, team-building skills, and global awareness.  In her role as Choral Music Director and Music Appreciation teacher at River Falls High School in River Falls, WI, she guides students through discovery and performance activities. 

Ms. Loney graduated from the honors program with a Bachelor of Music Education from UW-Eau Claire (1993).  After a few years of teaching middle and high school choirs in Osceola, WI, Ms. Loney began a Masters of Arts in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas.  In 2001, she accepted a job working for River Falls High School as a choir director. Ms. Loney completed her Masters degree in 2003 and then received National Board of Professional Teachers Certification in 2005. Additional important experiences in her life-long learning trek include training with the VoiceCare Network (St. John’s, MN) and coursework with Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance.  Clinician experiences include serving as soprano section leader for the WI State Honors Choir for two years (08-09), where she was able to observe and learn from Dr. Paul Head and Dr. Bob Demaree.  She served as the clinician for the Women's I group for WSMA sponsored Singing in Wisconsin in 2010, and is serving as a high school honors clinician in January and February 2011.  She is an active Wisconsin School Music Association and American Choral Directors Association conference attendee.  In the 2012 school year, she is proud to serve as a core member of the Professional Development School pilot for the school of education at UWRF, being named the Cooperative High School Teacher of the Year from the University.  She also serves on the River Falls Strategic Planning committee, and has since its inception in 2010.

Ms. Loney is currently exploring pursuing online techniques to use as a means to connect the age-old art of music to the modern minds and habits of 21st century students.  Her 2010 summer included an online education course through UW-Stout.  This survey course opened her eyes to D2L, Diigo, Moodle, employing effective forum and evaluation techniques in online education, and basic e-portfolio creation. She is an active member of the River Falls Action Committee for Education, and a member of the community "think tank" to encourage quality education and connection between high school and college.  

Ms. Loney’s activities outside of the school setting include being the senior choir director at the United Methodist Church.  She is also a soprano soloist and performs with the Phipps Festival Chorus.  In her spare time, she enjoys reading British mysteries, discussing anything related to the Tuscan region of Italy, creating gardens, and playing with technological gadgets. Ms. Loney is especially appreciative of her wonderful family, and gives thanks for her patient husband Dean and her beautiful daughter Megan for keeping her grounded, laughing, and sane.