For the past couple of years, I have enjoyed teaching elementary music in three different San Diego City schools, as well as private voice and piano lessons. I also started a children's choir called Jubilee Singers at Chinese Bible Church of San Diego.
I am very thankful for the opportunity to start a new year at TPES where the arts are highly emphasized and esteemed. I am looking forward to getting to know the students, parents, and fellow teachers. In our music program the students will be working with various instruments, learning about music theory and history, and doing a lot of singing and moving. The lower grades will be working mostly with rhythm instruments, which will help to develop a sense of steady beat as well as improve motor coordination. The upper grades will start to learn the more complex concepts of music theory, including reading and performing rhythmic and melodic patterns, analyzing musical forms, and expressing creativity through improvisation. We will
be exploring different Orff instruments, singing a wide repertoire of songs, and studying famous composers in musical history.
Thank you for your support, which is so important to your child's music education and development. I hope to work together towards an enriching and fun-filled year of music!
FOUNDATION FUNDED MUSIC PROGRAM – The current State budget funds instrumental music for Grades 4-5. Thanks to the generous contributions made to the Foundation by TPES families and friends, students in Grades K-5 receive general music instruction. The Foundation expands the music program by fully funding the general music portion of our music program. This means musical instruction for all students. The Foundation also invested in 20 Orff instruments that are part of our general music program. Our highly qualified and creative Music Director teaches song, dance, and rhythm to our students in Grades K-5. in addition to the State-funded instrumental music. General classroom music is offered to Grades K-5 one hour per week.
For more information about the music program or to volunteer please contact our music committee.
NOVEMBER 2011 UPDATE
Music classes have been off to a great start this year! It has been such a joy working with the students and I am so blessed to be back for a second year at Torrey Pines. This year we have some new and exciting programs that I would like to highlight for you:
Rhythm of Life: Exploring Cultures through Percussion and Song
We have been learning about music from different cultures. We are exploring different instruments, folk songs and even languages from various countries. As we learn songs from around the world, we are also learning about the role of music in these cultures. It is amazing to see how music is a universal language that is able to break barriers. People all over the world use music to express emotions, tell stories, and pass the time. In learning songs from various cultures, we are able to get a glimpse into the lives of others. Students have also been able to share musical traditions from their own cultures.
Glee Club
One other new program we have is the Glee Club, which is available to 4th and 5th graders. The club meets on Tuesday mornings before school and focuses on modern and popular choral music. In this group, we are able to apply the concepts we have learned to music that is fun and accessible. The Glee Club is learning how to read choral music, sing in two-part harmony, and explore dynamics and expression while singing songs like Katy Perry's "Firework" and "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. We look forward to sharing some music with you in future performances!
Website
For more information about what is happening in our music program, please visit my website. I will be updating the website throughout the year with announcements, audio clips, lyrics, and important performance details.
