Jenni Sonstroem
Music Educator
I love teaching and watching my students grow into life-long learners!
I have been teaching music since 1999. I began teaching in Asheville, NC after graduating from UNC-Greensboro with a Bachelor's in Jazz Piano Performance. That same summer I studied two traditional West African instruments, djembe and balafon, with master musicians in Mali, West Africa. I love learning about world music, dance, singing, and sharing my enthusiasm with students.
After graduating from East Carolina University with a Masters in Jazz Piano Performance, I decided to go back to the classroom and complete my teaching certification. I have always loved music and working with children! My husband teaches high school English and our family is all about positive, life-long learning experiences.
I am National Board certified in Early/Middle Childhood Music, World Music Drumming curriculum, and the Yamaha Music In Education program, having received training at the National Association for Music Education in Reston, VA. My goal is to teach the NC Essential Standards in Music using World Music Drumming, Kodaly, and Orff. These methods are very participatory and require students to work together as a team. Students learn by experiencing the music through singing, moving, and playing various instruments.
I have been honored and privileged to work with some of the sweetest students and the most amazing educators in the field. I have experience fundraising for a piano keyboard lab, launching Creative Arts Night, and bringing in volunteer and guest composers, choral conductors, and musical artists throughout the years. These experiences are incredibly enriching for all our students. I thank our families for their continued interest, involvement, and support of our music program. A caring, invested, and involved school community goes a long way in a child's life.
