Masada

Today my family and I climbed Masada in Israel! I am not the best hiker, but I was determined to push through for the spiritual experience! Masada is such an important monument for the history of Israel and the Jewish people. I associate this experience with Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I faces a lot of challenges that day. First of all, I am not the best at hiking. Second, I had a very bad sinus infection that whole week. These challenges made it hard to climb the mountain. My sickness, plus the crazy altitude of the mountain caused a terrible pressure headache which made me have to sit down a lot over the course of the hike. It was also very windy outside, which made staying on track very difficult. Despite all of these challenges, I did what the learning outcome said and face new challenges and developing new skills! I developed skills of perseverance during the hike because these challenges made the experience hard, but I pushed through in order to see the beautiful view and landmarks from the top of the mountain!

Third Week At Clemente Martinez!!!

Yesterday marked my third class at Clemente Martinez Elementary School! Teaching at a new school with such short notice and transition timer was hard, but I think that my co-teacher Rachel and I are transitioning well! We now have 13 kids in our class instead of 9 or 10. We also teach an hour and a half class instead of 50 minutes, which is a large difference! Aside form these struggles, the classes are going well! We have introduced the kids to basic music theory and have taught them some basic chords like Em and A! Some of the kids are super hyper and it has been a challenge to calm them down, but aside from them being hyper, I see so much potential in all of these kids!

I feel that this whole experience aligns with Learning Outcome 2, demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. As I said before, moving to a new school that is a completely different environment as well as teaching a longer and bigger class has been hard, but I have learned how to adapt to new circumstances and grow as a teacher and leader. I am excited to watch these kids grow throughout the year and gain skills and knowledge. I see so much potential and excitement in them and I cant wait to see them grow into mature artists!

Dancing at Chicago Rehearsal

Today was our third rehearsal for Chicago. We finished the opening number and started learning the dances to the next two songs in the show. Dancing has never been my strongest suit. Out of the three components of musical theatre, singing, acting and dancing, dancing is my weakest. Chicago has really broadened my horizons in recognizing my dance skill. It has also allowed me to practice, grow and improve my dance skills in a safe and supportive environment. The dance style for Chicago, fosse, is very style specific and pretty technical. Although it is difficult, I am enjoying the process of learning and practicing this new style that I have never experienced. This connects to Learning Outcome #2, Demonstrating that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I have struggled the past few weeks with learning the dance steps and keeping up with the choreographer, but I am learning and improving with time. I love learning new skills in an environment where I know I am supported and encouraged to step out of my comfort zone.

Chicago Callback

Today I had my callback for Chicago! I was excited to know that the director wanted to see me again after my audition. This boosted my confidence walking into the theatre for the callback. We were notified before that the callback would specifically highlight dancing, since the dance style for Chicago is so specific and technical. We began with the choreographer telling us to walk across the stage confidently to music, which is a lot harder than it sounds! I felt very confident afterwards! Next we learned a dance combination to the end of the most famous song from the show, All That Jazz. This was one of the hardest dances I had ever learned. Out of the three components of musical theatre, singing, acting and dancing, dancing is my weakest. Even though I was struggling with the technicality of all of the steps, I tried my best to let me personality shine through! By the end everyone was sweating and exhausted! This experience aligns strongly with Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I undertook the challenge of learning a new dance style and combination, but I learned the steps and tried my best to show style and personality! While dancing is not my strong suit, I tried my best and I was very proud of myself after. The fact that I did as well as I did even though I wasn't a dancer made me proud. I look forward to the casting process and learning my role. The rehearsal process is going to be exciting and different from anything I have ever done, but I am excited to learn from this new experience!!!!!

Chicago Audition

 I auditioned for Chicago where I do theatre. I had not sung, acted or danced all summer so I was very nervous. I practiced my song for the audition at home and in my car on the way to the theatre. When it was time to get up and audition I was so nervous, but I recognized that all go my friends were also nervous and we had to support and encourage each other. I sang my song and it was pretty good. I was rusty but I am still proud of my work. This represents CAS Learning Outcome 2,

demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I faced a challenge by coming back to something I haven't done in a while and I learned to calm my nerves by leaning on my friends!!!!!

Browning

Today I went to my internship and the 4th graders walked into the classroom with their ukuleles. They all sat down and one of my students told me that a new student was joining the class. Of course it was SO convenient to have a new student who had never picked up a ukulele come into class. I was stressing, thinking about how I can catch up one new student to the skill level of all of the other students who have been playing and practicing for weeks. This situation resonates with learning outcome 2, undertaking new challenges. Mt co-teacher and I had to restructure the lesson to help teach the new student everything we had done over the pat 6 weeks while still helping and teaching the other students. She caught up quickly and I can tell she is going to be a great student

Browning Week 5

Today was my fifth week of my internship tis week. I took off last week, due to the PSAT, so I was super excited to see my students again! The students had clearly improved a lot over the past two weeks that I didn't see them, so we gave them some more advanced material. This week, I got to take on even more of a teacher role and teach and lead a majority of the exercises this class. It felt great to be able to full lead these kids in music, my biggest passion. To me this ties in with learning outcome 2, developing new skills. I have taught for Hope Stone for a long time, but today is first day that I have really felt like a full fledged teacher, getting to teach and lead new chords and scales.

CAS and Internship Week 1

Last week was the first day of my internship for the year.  I help teach ukulele to 4th graders and Guitar to 5th graders at Browning Elementary School, through Hope Stone Inc, a local arts outreach program. For the past two years, I've taught creative movement and theatre, but this year I'm spearheading the new music classes with my old music teacher, Rachel Hansbro.

Last month, I raised 2500 dollars for Hope Stone to get the guitars, ukuleles and the rest of the equipment for these classes. The first day went pretty well overall. The kids were very engaged and happy to be there. It was a big challenge for me because I've been playing music for years, but I have never taught music on this scale. It is difficult creating a blank slate and putting yourself in the shoes of a child who has never picked up an instrument before and starting at square one, which connects to learning outcome 2, undertake new challenges.

Overall, the first day went well and I learned as I went. I have to learn to be adaptable and be accommodating to the needs of the children. I think this will be a great year of new challenges, learning new skills and hopefully inspiring kids to learn to play music.