Fine Arts Boosters

How many years have you been teaching?
14

What inspired you to become a Choir director?
My love for choral music along with my numerous performing experiences inspired me to pursue a career in teaching choir. I wanted to share that passion with my students and provide them with similar, memorable experiences.

What kind of music do you listen to on a daily basis?
Alternative

What is your favorite instrument to play?
My voice. :)

What is your favorite song?
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles

What would students be surprised to find out about you?
That I didn't want to join choir in high school and that I definitely didn't want to become a teacher.

How do you spend your summer breaks?
With my 2 boys on adventures - pools, museums, parks, hanging out with friends, road trips

In which other teacher's class would you like to enroll, even for a day? Why?
Art. My art education was extremely limited growing up and Mrs. Paulson is awesome!

What are your "trapped on a desert island" books or movies?
Book - Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" / Movie - any of the Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings movies

What's your favorite part of being a Choir director?
My absolute favorite part is connecting with the students each and every day. Choir students bring a wonderful energy into my classroom that truly brings me joy. The concerts are a blast and the students work really hard to perform their pieces, but it's really the day to day lessons and activities that are the best.

How many years have you been teaching? 

18th year teaching Band

What inspired you to become a Band director? 

In high school I was lucky to be a student leader in several ways, and truly enjoyed helping his classmates learn how to play their music and all the aspects of band.   

What kind of music do you listen to on a daily basis? 

Hamilton soundtrack, Ben Folds 

What is your favorite instrument to play? 

Hmmmmm......tough question for a percussionist who loves to play every instrument with his students- in college, I fell in love with timpani and marimba, which both allow such fun musicianship.

What is your favorite song? 

"Wait For It", from Hamilton. 

What would students be surprised to find out about you? 

Not a whole lot. Over the last few years, I've been lucky to lose about 75 pounds, and learned to love working out and hitting the treadmill at my local YMCA.

How do you spend your summer breaks? 

Driving to my sons' baseball games, Do It Yourself projects around our house, camping with my family and with Scouts.

In which other teacher's class would you like to enroll, even for a day? Why? 

Mrs. Cullotta- listening to the projects she develops for her students is so interesting, and I'm so jealous of what they get to work on.

What are your "trapped on a desert island" books or movies? 

Hitch, When Harry Met Sally!!! 

What's your favorite part of being a band director? 

Getting to know my students (and their families!) over multiple years, and watching them grow up into young adults, warms my heart so much!

How many years have you been directing? 

I have 15 years of directing experience.

What inspired you to become a show director?

My love for theatre started when I played Owl in Winnie the Pooh in middle school! After many years of performing on the stage, I was asked to direct a children's show and have never looked back. These kids inspire me every day!

What is your favorite play or musical of all time?

That one is difficult to answer, so I'll give you two. The first one is the very first show I ever saw with my mother in Minneapolis: Anything Goes. I got goosebumps and I knew then that theatre was it for me. Otherwise, a very close second is Wicked, which is the first show I took my daughter to see. 

What would students be surprised to find out about you?

My favorite performing gig was when I was in a professional Shakespearean group for 5 years in my twenties. I have also performed in Renaissance Faires, Civic Centers, and countless Community theatre shows. 

I also don't drink coffee.

How do you spend your summer breaks?

My husband, our dog Chewie and I take our RV and go where the wind takes us. We have 3 kids who we love spending time with when they can because they all have adult lives now. You can also catch me hanging out at the Bristol Renaissance Fair with my daughter.

In which other teacher's class would you like to enroll,even for a day? Why?

I have always stated that I'm an "Art wannabe." So, it would be Mrs. Paulson's class. She rocks!! I did not inherit the painting talent in my family but boy do I wish I did.

What are your "trapped-on-a desert-island" books or movies?

Books- Romance Novels (especially the Scottish ones). 

Movies - Wizard of Oz, Elf, Sandlot, The Sound of Music, Forrest Gump and any of the Stars Wars movies.

What's your favorite part of being a theatre director and acting coach?

My favorite part is to connect and guide the students in skills they can use not only in the theatre but in everyday life. These kids show so much love, energy and creativity to the theatre and acting programs which fills my heart with so much joy. The fact that alumni come back to help in a heartbeat is a tribute to the community we strive to achieve.