Nyssa Jimenez Bio

My Family

I grew up in rural Browns Valley, MN. (population 546) I currently live within my school community in Madison, MN (population 1509)

Above, you can see a picture of my family- my Mom Peggy, my Dad Dennis, my two younger sisters, Haley and Maddie and my husband, Daniel. Family has been, and continues to be, one of the most important and influential supports not only to my music, but also my entire life.  

I began my love for music when I started piano at the age of 5, but it wasn't until my junior year in high school when I discovered my passion for teaching music. It is important for me to share my love for music with my students so that they are able to allow music to make a positive impact on their lives, in the same way it has made a positive impact on mine. 

​I recently got married to my college sweetheart, Daniel on June 26, 2021. He is also a music teacher - in fact we met through our music education program.

We got our newest family addition, Kora, in June of 2022. She is a mini daschund and full of life and love.

Musical Experience

​I began playing piano at the age of 5 and starting taking percussion lessons in 5th grade in my middle school band. 

I had the opportunity to be apart of the Northern State University Drumline. The Marching Wolves was one of my favorite parts of college! But my heart is drawn to the mallet instruments of the percussion section and you will see me practicing the marimba, vibraphone, and xylophone most often. Most recently I played in our high school musical "Meet Me in St. Louis."

Current Teaching Position

It is my 5th year teaching at the Lac qui Parle Valley School District in Madison, Mn. The past 4 years has been as the k-4 elementary music teacher, but this year I get to be the 5-12 band director! I am lucky to have the chance to make this change in this wonderful school district with wonderful students!

Our district resides across 5 different small towns and communities and we share great diversity in our school for the area of Minnesota we live in. I hope GLF will help me continue to share with my students the importance of our differing cultures among one another.

Music Degree

I have a great passion for music and have dedicated my life towards sharing that passion with others. This dream of mine came true when I graduated from Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD on May 2018, Summa Cum Laude, with a K-12 Music Education degree. 

I have both a Tier 3 Minnesota Teaching license and a South Dakota Teaching license. 

Hobbies

Little happens outside of my life without music. But when I am not teaching my husband and I love to take our renovated 1970's camper to various Minnesota State Parks with our pup.