Music

As the music teacher at Taylor, I believe that music is for everyone. My goal is to create a space where students feel safe to explore, create, and grow—not just to perform for others, but to find personal meaning, confidence, and joy in what they create. Music is a powerful way for students to understand themselves and connect with others, and I strive to make every class an experience where all students feel successful and valued.

In our primary grades (K–2), we focus on building a strong musical foundation through active, hands-on learning. Students explore steady beat, rhythm, pitch, singing, and early note reading in engaging and developmentally appropriate ways. They also get to play a variety of basic percussion instruments, including hand drums, xylophones, and boomwhackers, which help reinforce musical concepts while keeping learning fun and interactive.

In 3rd grade, students expand their musical experiences through exploration and choice. They are introduced to the basics of both band and orchestra instruments, giving them the opportunity to discover what interests them most. In addition, students participate in both a ukulele unit and a recorder unit, where they develop skills in melody, coordination, and independent playing.

By 4th and 5th grade, students take the next step in their musical journey by choosing to learn either a band or an orchestra instrument. In these ensembles, they build technique, collaboration skills, and musical understanding while experiencing the joy of creating music together as a group.

Across all grade levels, my goal is to go beyond teaching notes and rhythms. I want students to develop creativity, self-expression, perseverance, and a lifelong appreciation for music. At Taylor, students aren’t just learning music—they are discovering their voice.