Marisol R.

I am a music teacher, plain and simple, but my goals are larger than that, and have always been that to reach further into what music is, and how it can help those around us. For years, I debated whether I had chosen the right field to have gone into, being a performance major at a well-renowned music school in Western New York, I had plans instilled into me to advance myself at Manhattan's School of Music or even attending Eastman Conservatory of Fine Arts, but in the end I always found myself empty and regretting my choice. I guess it came near my Sophomore year that I was enlisted in String Pedagogy classes that I found my calling. Being one of the finer players in the school of music we had to engage ourselves in different teaching courses then the education majors, and many of the students that we were given were not music majors and or have never played the instrument before. Somehow, one of the Professors had heard that I had also been a Philosophy/Psychology minor and had a few Special need students interested in learning the violin. These students were being considered to be dropped from the course because none of the other students wanted to take the risk or challenge of having to so call deal with them. In my eyes, they are just another willing person wanting to learn more. I accepted these students into my classes for the credits but also, the knowledge of knowing my other peers did not want them as students left an incredibly distasteful feeling in my mouth. Through the next two years, I mentored these students, ranging from mental disturbances, and physical motor decrease, which in itself, the violin is a demanding instrument so finding a way around them to help the student feel most comfortable was the greatest challenge. I found myself looking towards new and outlandish teaching techniques to help with my students, from rolling pencils off of piano keyboards. Students enjoyed the game while not knowing I was actually installing the proper techniques to hold and release a violin or viola bow. I found myself full of energy and engaged once in music, and it hit me, maybe performance was my gateway to a better calling, one that I can use my musical skills to enliven the lives of those around me. I hope you allow me the opportunity to express my skills in person and have the chance to prove my ability not only as a skilled musician but as a strong suited faculty member.