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Deanna Bell is the music teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Conductor of the Birmingham Wind Ensemble, and an adjunct music professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has worked in Alabama, Tennessee, and Virginia teaching elementary music, choir, and band in all grade levels from kindergarten to college for 28 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from The University of Alabama and her Master of Music Education from Samford University. In 2010 and 2019, Deanna was awarded National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music. Deanna received Orff Levels I, II, and III Certification from Samford University and Kodály Levels I, II, III, and a Master Certification from The University of Montevallo. In 2021, Deanna earned her Orff Master Certificate from Gwinnett County Public Schools in Georgia while studying with Karen Medley. Deanna has served on the Alabama Kodály Educators Board, the Executive Board for the Alabama Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and was a District 3 Chair for the Alabama Music Educators Association for eight years. She has been a regular contributor to the Ala Breve magazine, has served on the AMEA Executive Committee, and is an active clinician for workshops and conferences. Deanna is a 2019 Semifinalist, 2021 Quarterfinalist, and 2022 Legacy Candidate for the Grammy Music Educator Award. Deanna is the 2016-2017 Elementary Teacher of the Year for Vestavia Hills City Schools, and is the 2020 Lacey Powell AMEA Outstanding Music Educator.
Hello!
I am so blessed to be a part of this wonderful community and I am looking forward to a fantastic year!
I grew up in Blount County, Alabama and attended Cleveland High School. I have been married to Franklin Bell for twenty-six years. We are both graduates of The University of Alabama. During college, we both performed with the UA Wind Ensemble and the Million Dollar Marching Band for four years. We enjoy dining out, traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with our friends and family. Franklin and I are both trumpet players and enjoy performing with community bands.
We enjoy spending time with our adorable, sweet Havanese puppy. Her name is Baxlee Mae Bell. She enjoys running, playing, tricks, and rolling the house in toilet paper.
I hope everyone is having fun at school!
Love,
Mrs. Bell
Awards:
2024 Music For All
Elementary Excellence Award
2024 Exemplary Service Award
UAB College of Education
January 2024 Alabama NBCT
Spotlight Teacher
2022 Legacy Candidate
Grammy Music Educator Award
2021 Quarterfinalist
Grammy Music Educator Award
2020 Lacey Powell Outstanding Music Educator
Alabama Music Education Association
2019 Semifinalist
Grammy Music Educator Award
2019 Quarterfinalist
Grammy Music Educator Award
2016-2017
VHCS Elementary Teacher of the Year
Vestavia Hills Elementary East
Teacher of the Year
2016-2017
Education and Certifications:
Master of Music Education
Samford University, 2012
Music Education, Instrumental
Bachelor of Science in Music Education
The University of Alabama, 1997
Music Education, Instrumental
National Board Certification
Early and Middle Childhood Music, Vocal, 2010
Renewed, EMC Music, Vocal in 2019
Kodály Level 1, Level II, & Level III Certification
University of Montevallo, 2014, 2016, and 2018
Kodály Master Certification with Becky Halliday
University of Montevallo, 2023
Orff-Schulwerk Level I, Level II, & Level III Certification
Samford University, 2009, 2011, and 2015
Orff Master Certification with Karen Medley
Gwinnett Public Schools, Georgia, 2021
Professional Memberships:
National Association for Music Educators
Alabama Music Educators Association
American Orff-Schulwerk Association
Alabama Chapter of the AOSA
Organization of American Kodály Educators
Alabama Kodály Educators
Sigma Alpha Iota, Charter Member, U of A, 1993
Leadership:
Conductor of the Birmingham Wind Ensemble
2017-present
Adjunct Music Professor at UAB
Fall Semester, 2017 - present
Adjunct Music Professor at Miles College
Spring Semester, 2022-present
District 3 Chair
Alabama Music Educators Association Board
2016-2023
Alabama Music Educators Association
Executive Committee
2018-2023
Ala Breve Music Magazine Contributor
Writes Bi-Monthly Articles for Publication
2018-2023
President
The Alabama Chapter of AOSA
2020-2022
President-Elect
The Alabama Chapter of AOSA
2018-2020
Treasurer
The Alabama Chapter of AOSA
2016-2018
Secretary,
The Alabama Chapter of AOSA
2014-2016
President
Alabama Kodály Educators
2020-2022
President-Elect,
Alabama Kodály Educators
2018-2020
Member at Large
Alabama Kodály Educators
2014-2016 and 2016-2018
National Organization American Kodály Educators
Board of Directors, Membership Committee
2023-present
Clinician:
Presenter: "Let's Talk About Elementary Music!"
FAME Clinician
Alabama Music Educators State Conference
January 2022
Presenter: "These are a few of my favorite things..."
Baldwin County Music Teachers
October 8, 2021
Presenter: "Sing a Round With Me"
Alabama Music Educators State Conference
January, 2020
Presenter: "Your internship and first year of teaching"
2019 Collegiate cNAfME Summit Clinician
Samford University
October 27, 2019
Music and Arts Week, Camp Sumatanga
Children's Division Clinician
July 7-12, 2019
Presenter: "Elementary Music Internship: Tips for Success"
Alabama Music Educators State Conference
January, 2019
Presenter: "Orff and Kodály Activities for Children's Choir"
Alabama Baptist Children's Choir Leadership Conference
Talladega, Alabama
July 13-14, 2018
Presenter: "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things..."
March 13, 2018
Birmingham City Schools
Presenter: "Guitar for Children of All Abilities! Chord Buddy Makes Playing Easy and Fun" Alabama Music Educators State Conference
January, 2018
Presenter: "Audio Cubes: STEAM Instruction for the Music Classroom"
Alabama Music Educators State Conference
January, 2017
Presenter: "AudioCubes and Coding in the Music Classroom"
Cullman County Schools Technology Conference
August, 2016
Presenter "Creating Music with Audio Cubes"
AOSA Chapter Share Workshop
August, 2016
Presenter "STEAM Instruction in the Music Room "
Kodály Certifiication Training, The University of Montevallo
July, 2016
Presenter: "A Comparison of Three Assessment Methods in an Urban Primary School"
Alabama Music Educators State Conference
January, 2012
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