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My Musical and Church Story
My Musical and Church Story
As far back as I can remember, I've been singing in church. My earliest memories of singing are from the pews next to my mother (Emily) at my home church and my grandmother (Olivia) at her church on holidays and in the summers. I remember distinctly wanting to be like them, wanting to emulate them, wanting to be where they experienced God. God stuck, so to speak. He never left me, though there were times in my younger days when I didn't go to church as often as I should. I don't remember ever "not believing," I just didn't feel like it would be the same as those early days. Comfort. Calm. A place to be when things needed to be worked out. The place to go when things were good, or not so good.
What brought me back? What kept me coming back week after week? Music. It's my career, and my calling. I don't separate my Catholicism from my work at the university. It bleeds through how I treat people (or how I want to treat people). It bleeds through as an educator who cares about others. And, when people ask, I tell the truth. I am Catholic. It is not just a church, it is an important part of who I am, which began all those years ago next to the strongest women I've ever known, who led by an example of service and love.
I must also pay tribute (again) to my mother who paid for years of piano lessons and a few voice lessons near the end of high school. Even when I think I wanted to quit, she "made" me continue. Grateful does not begin to describe how I feel about her insistence that I do music.
Official Bios and Headshots
Official Bios and Headshots
Music Ministry Bio
Dr. Jane Kuehne (Ph.D.) holds degrees in music education from the University of Texas at San Antonio (bachelor’s and master’s) and Florida State University (Ph.D.). She serves as the director of music for St. Michael’s parish in Auburn, Alabama and is an Associate Professor of Music Education and Graduate Program Officer at Auburn University. At Auburn University, Dr. Kuehne teaches future and current teachers, supervises teaching field experiences, and supervises graduate research. Her research includes a variety of different areas, from teaching people how to read music to helping people understand the value of music in their lives.
As a lifelong (“cradle”) Catholic, music has played an integral part in her relationship with God. In her 20s, music helped keep her connected to the church. St. Matthew’s Family Folk choir was her home while in college and while she lived in San Antonio, Texas. She often says, “God knows if He uses music, I will hear and listen.” Now, as a professional, God has used music once again to connect her to the church in deeper ways through serving as a director of music. In that capacity, she plans music for weekly masses, teaches the chancel choir, and serves as a resource. Recently she taught a workshop on Music and Musical Prayer at St. Michael’s and did a concert of catholic music (from the St. Augustine Hymnal) for a local women’s group. One person said they “had no idea what they were going to get today, but felt truly touched and connected to Jesus.” Music can be a driving and lasting connection to the Trinity. The primary goal of her music is to bring people closer to God.
Contact Me: St. Michael's Music Ministers or Send Me A Message
Auburn University Bio
Jane M. Kuehne, Ph.D., holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) (with lifetime teaching certification in Texas in All-level Music and Secondary-level English, Reading, and Language Arts), and a Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University. She began is a music education faculty member at Auburn University where she teaches undergraduate and graduate music education courses, supervises field work, and supervises graduate and doctoral research. Her research, outreach, and service focus on sight-singing, music preference, culturally responsive teaching, edTPA, early-degree student teaching and mentoring, music technology, church music, aging voices, conflict resolution, and other areas. Dr. Kuehne serves on several COE and AU committees and serves as the Graduate Program Officer for Curriculum and Teaching (in the College of Education). She is also a founding/continuing member of the editorial board for the Journal of the Association for Music Technology Instruction (JATMI). Dr. Kuehne has been recognized as Outstanding Alumna at UTSA and by her hometown high school (Georgetown, Texas). In 2022, she was recognized as an Outstanding Graduate Mentor (selected by graduate students) and in 2023 she received the Leischuck Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award from the College of Education.
Contact Me: College of Education Directory or Send Me A Message
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