My Musical History

    I grew up in Berne, IN, a small Swiss community between Muncie and Ft. Wayne.  Berne is a rural town that has about 3,500 people.  I grew up in a middle class neighborhood.  I have an older brother, Brian, who is 27 years old and a silly schnauzer named Max.  I attended South Adams Jr.-Sr. High School.  South Adams has approximately 600 students.  While attending South Adams I was involved in Concert Choir, A Cappella Choir, Womenís Chorus, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and a variety of musical productions. 
       When I was five years old my mother bought a piano.  It was my mother's dream that my brother and I would learn to play piano and appreciate music.  My mother loves music, but never had the opportunity to play a musical instrument.  My brother Brian was in third grade at this time and was able to start lessons.  I was rather jealous because I thought I was entitled to do everything he got to do.  My parents thought that my desire to play piano would be fulfilled with battery operated Big Mouth Singers Piano toy.  I was not amused that my brother got to take lessons and I only got a new toy.  Luckily, the Big Mouth Singers Piano came with a little songbook.  I thought since the keys on the toy piano were the same shape as the big piano that the music should work for both.  So I thought that if I could just play a song on the big piano it would prove to them that I really wanted to take lessons.  With my rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, I had them convinced.  I was thrilled that I was allowed to start piano lessons the next week.  I loved taking piano lessons and Brian and I would often argue over who got to practice first after school.
        The church that I attended had children's choir and I enjoyed singing with all my friends.  In fourth grade my brother convinced me to try out for a community musical and I was trilled just to be in the chorus.  In fifth grade, I convinced my parents to let me start playing flute.  I baby-sat for my first flute teacher in exchange for lessons.  I attended music camp all through upper elementary and middle school.  Every summer I looked forward to a week of enjoying nature and singing. 
       I was involved in almost every musical activity available at my school.  My mother always says, "Kristen has never met an instrument that she did not like."  This was what she said after I convinced her that I should be able to take bassoon lessons.  I had the privilege of attending state contest for the first time as a sixth grader with a flute choir and that same year was the first time I ever accompanied an elementary musical.  Wherever music was happening was where I wanted to be.  My hometown community was very supportive of the music program at my school and the music program grew while I was involved in it. 
       During my junior high days my parents divorced and I thought in many ways that the world as I knew it had ended.  I began immersing myself more into the world of music because it was my way to cope with stress and it was one area where I found success.  I found I could be successful if I set my mind on a goal and just kept working toward that goal.  Preparing for performances and contest tested my endurance and ability to accomplish a goal.
        It was during the summer before my senior year that I realized that music was one thing that I looked forward to in my day.  I thoroughly enjoyed making music and took a hold of any opportunity I could get.  Growing up as the daughter of a teacher, I realize how much education and educators have played a large role in my life.  During my senior year of high school I had the opportunity to work with elementary music students, Adams County Children's Choir, and 6th grade band students.  I found out that I loved teaching students.  I was privileged to have excellent music teachers throughout my education.  All of them happened to be Ball State University graduates!  My high school directors, Brent Hyman and Curt Amstutz, were excellent educators who greatly impacted my musical abilities and broadened my musical horizons.  My high school piano teacher, Jody Reed, inspired me to challenge myself with her enthusiastic teaching.
        I graduated from Ball State in May 2002.  During my four years at Ball State University I was involved in Concert Choir, Women's Chorus, University Chorus, and Marching Band.  My courses at Ball State have included music history, music theory, and music education.  My music education courses at Ball State University prepared me for teaching by providing field and peer teaching experiences.  My student teaching experience was at Royerton Elementary in elementary general music with Jan Morris.  Student teaching allowed me to fine tune my teaching and lesson planning abilities.  I cannot wait to have a classroom of my own.  I love giving students the opportunity to have positive musical experiences.  I am ready for the challenges that go along with teaching elementary general music.