Melisa B  
Instruments: Violin, Trumpet, Trombone, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Recorder, Euphonium, French Horn, Piccolo, Oboe, Bassoon, Music
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, R&B, Musical Theater, Marching Band

I graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia in May 2017 with two Bachelor’s degrees in music education and flute performance. In my time there, I completed secondary band methods, elementary band methods, elementary general music methods, as well as my student teaching at Morrow Elementary (band and general music) and Reed Middle Schools (band and general music) in the Central Islip School District on Long Island. I continued my education and obtained my Master of Music Education degree at the State University of New York at Potsdam. Throughout my time here, I solidified my teaching skills through my learning in person and online due to the pandemic. It was very hard to complete the degree but I ended up being the first student in my class to officially pass the oral thesis and attain the degree. Through my educational and teaching experiences, I have learned a variety of rehearsal techniques and assessments that benefit student learning, as well as completed advanced/supplementary classes in conducting, all secondary instruments, and technology in music. I would love the ability to teach you and know we'd enjoy it! Most recently, I have 1 year of experience working as a Choir Teacher at the Aldine’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy where I taught 6th and 7th grade choir classes during the day and Drama/Improv Club after school. It is required of me to make fun and educational lesson plans following the curriculum set by the school as well as keep up with any and all professional development provided including monthly faculty meetings. I was also responsible for unfinished learning due to the pandemic and as a result taught general music concepts as well. Thanks to this experience I was able to increase my musicianship, work to become the best teacher I could.

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with the lesson books you or I provide, preferably Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. If there are any other things that interest you or method books and solos you want to cover, let me know!