Sydney Heasley
Music Ed major, hoping to teach 9-12 grade
Musical Background
I graduated from Paw Paw High School in southwest Michigan. I have played trumpet since sixth grade. It wasnt until high school that I really knew what music meant to me. Freshman year I was placed in the top band, which kind of sparked a thought in my mind like, "hey, I might be kind of good at this!" About sophomore year I got really into it and decided to participate in Solo & Ensemble, and it has exploded from there. Junior year I was trumpet section leader and participated in All Star Band. I also played a trumpet trio for Solo & Ensemble. Senior year I was Drum Major, and first chair in Symphony and Jazz band. I performed a solo at Solo & Ensemble, and recieved a 1 at District and a 2 at State. About the end of junior year is when I decided I wanted to be a music teacher, and I ended up being a Teachers Assistant for my director and often, instead of getting a substitute, she would let me lead class, which solidified my need to be a music teacher.
Why I Want To Be a Music Teacher
Music to me has always been a type of therapy almost. I feel so comfortable in a band room, it is like a second home. I know that if I am having a bad day, I always have music to make things better. Its what I looked foward to in my day. I saw the good, and bad, things my director did and I want to be able to affect my students lives the way she affected mine. Not only did she care about my music, but she cared about my well-being as well. Other teachers dont pay attention to anything other than your work, but music is such a personal thing. I want to instill the love of music that I have into my students. Plus, why not do what I love for the rest of my life? I have always wanted to be a teacher, and I love music, so this is the perfect job for me. This quote describes it perfectly, "love what you study and study what you love." I cant imagine myself doing anything else and I cant wait to have my own band!
All Star Band
I participated in All Star Band for two years. This is the group of students from my school with our conductor, on the left, and guest conductor, James Curnow, on the right. We debuted a piece Curnow wrote titled "Jubilee"
Drum Major
I was Drum Major my senior year of high school.
Musical Theatre
I participated in theatre all throughout high school. I was in Seussical the Musical, Guys and Dolls, Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, Annie Get Your Gun and a play called Circles, which highlights the affects of bullying.