Faith, Family, and Future Plans

Ariel Kennedy is a Bible-believing, Christ-following individual that lives in Midwest City, OK with her loving husband Ivan, three children, two cats, five chickens, and a guinea pig. After following her husband around the country throughout his career in the US Navy, they have finally settled in Ariel’s home state of Oklahoma. She faithfully attends Grace Place Baptist church with her family in OKC. Ariel seeks to please the Lord and raise her children to love Him and serve Him. Ariel has lived in many places and experienced a lot of different opportunities in her life that have strengthened her walk with Christ and led her to a path that allows her to teach.

Education & Experience

With a bachelor's degree in music, with an emphasis on bassoon, and a minor in business from the University of Arkansas, Ariel has used her degree to work at music stores, teach private music lessons, play in orchestras, substitute teach, teach music in co-ops, and homeschool her children. Through these experiences, Ariel loved to teach any and all subjects and decided to earn her Master's degree through Grand Canyon University’s Masters in Education with certification program. During her Master’s program, Ariel student taught 4th grade elementary with her cooperative teacher at Ridgecrest Elementary School.

Teaching Experience

Throughout her teaching career, Ariel’s students have ranged from babies through adults. She has taught as an amateur for over thirty years with some paid positions. While stationed in Oklahoma, Ariel substitute taught elementary music classes, middle school band, and other general education classes at all grade levels. Ariel filled in for the middle school band director for almost 8 weeks for 2-3 days a week, while the band director worked on her doctorate. She administered playing tests and worked through the 7th and 8th grade music repertoire with the students. For almost ten years, she has been a home educator for her own kids, ages 12, 7, and 4. While teaching her own children, she has taught at co-ops teaching writing, general music, choir, and pre-K classes. Also, before her home educator years, Ariel was a children's minister for over six years, organizing programs, recruiting and training teachers, and teaching Bible lessons for the children. Since her undergrad years to present, Ariel has taught woodwind lessons and beginning piano lessons. Currently, she volunteers her teaching abilities at Grace Place Baptist Church both in the Children and Student Ministries and continues to homeschool her children.

Playing & Performances

When it comes to Ariel’s music playing experience, it all began in the town of Owasso, OK, under the band directors David and Jana Gorham. She has studied under several bassoon teachers including, but not limited to, Susie Brown, Derek Adams, and Richard Ramey. Ariel has been playing bassoon for over 25 years, and has performed in multiple ensembles both large and small as listed in her resume. She is an OK All-State bassoonist (1st chair 2003) and has played with professional and amateur players. In her most recent symphony orchestra, San Diego Symphony, they recorded an album that featured Ariel with a solo in the piece Ava Maria.

Qualifications to Teach

Ariel's unique experiences make her a well-rounded seasoned teacher that brings creativity and fun into learning. She believes all students have the potential to stretch beyond what they can see in themselves, and she helps nurture that quality into her students. As she teaches, she is constantly searching for new ways to teach in a way that will be engaging and help all types of learners. With her love for people and patience to teach, she makes a fine teacher for any age and almost any subject. Also, Ariel’s love for Jesus and His true gospel is at the heart of everything she does as she loves and serves others through teaching or assisting her family and community. 

Resumé

file:///C:/Users/ariel/OneDrive/Bassoon%20Adj%20Pro%20Resume.pdf