(Mrs. Ross with her husband in Swansboro, NC, 2018)
Welcome! I am so happy to be teaching music at Wakefield Middle School. I can hardly believe it, but I have been studying music for 40+ years! I have been teaching music since 1993 and began working in the Wake County Public School System in 1995. I am originally from MD and am a proud graduate of Shepherd University in WV, but NC has been my home since 1994. My first instrument was the piano, my primary instrument is the flute (I also minored in tenor saxophone), and in the string world, I have focused primarily on playing cello and bass.
In Band and Orchestra, I feel it is important that students feel like part of a team or family. There is nothing more challenging and rewarding than making music together. Like all things rewarding, they need to be willing to consistently work on what we are learning in class, and to come prepared to contribute to the ensemble. We are a team and as such, we depend on each member to always do their best so that our group will be successful. Please encourage your student to practice regularly at home and to not give up! Learning how to play an instrument requires effort and repetition. Be patient and persistent. The reward is worth all of the effort.
Below are some links to articles that I believe explain why being in music is essential for students and how they can have success.
Please always feel free to contact me via email: [email protected]
Cognitive benefits of being in music
Musicians use both sides of their brains more frequently
Music lessons and brain development
3 things parents should tell their children when starting to learn a musical instrument
Just for fun, here are pictures of my cat Grayson and our classroom therapy sloth (and also my personal assistant) Miles.
(Mrs. Ross with her husband in Swansboro, NC, 2018)
Welcome! I am so happy to be teaching music at Wakefield Middle School. I can hardly believe it, but I have been studying music for 40+ years! I have been teaching music since 1993 and began working in the Wake County Public School System in 1995. I am originally from MD and am a proud graduate of Shepherd University in WV, but NC has been my home since 1994. My first instrument was the piano, my primary instrument is the flute (I also minored in tenor saxophone), and in the string world, I have focused primarily on playing cello and bass.
In Band and Orchestra, I feel it is important that students feel like part of a team or family. There is nothing more challenging and rewarding than making music together. Like all things rewarding, they need to be willing to consistently work on what we are learning in class, and to come prepared to contribute to the ensemble. We are a team and as such, we depend on each member to always do their best so that our group will be successful. Please encourage your student to practice regularly at home and to not give up! Learning how to play an instrument requires effort and repetition. Be patient and persistent. The reward is worth all of the effort.
Below are some links to articles that I believe explain why being in music is essential for students and how they can have success.
Please always feel free to contact me via email: [email protected]
Cognitive benefits of being in music
Musicians use both sides of their brains more frequently
Music lessons and brain development
3 things parents should tell their children when starting to learn a musical instrument
Just for fun, here are pictures of my cat Grayson and our classroom therapy sloth (and also my personal assistant) Miles.