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How did you learn about the program?
I learned about the program through Nancy Marsters, at a booth
at the MENC National Conference in Kansas City in 1996. While
I was interviewing for my first "music teacher" position
with Marcia Neel. She signed the form saying I was going to start
a program in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas the
following year and I was on my way to the workshop in Boulder
Colorado the following summer.
What where your teaching duties when you learned
about it?
I was teaching special education in Norman, Oklahoma at the time.
I was a music instructor at a local junior college at night.
I had taught private guitar there for a number of years. I was
really looking for a job where I could teacher just guitar. I
found that the following year here in Las Vegas.
What year did you take the program?
I took the class in the summer of 1996. I believe the program
was in its second year at that time.
Who was your task force leader?
I believe Bill Purse was the Chair of the Task Force at that
time. He, Will Schmid, and Romana Hartmetz taught the class in
Boulder that summer.
Did you find the material useful in getting
your program started?
If I hadn't had that training, with those material, I never could
have made my
program what it is today. Like I said, I had taught private guitar
for years. But, never on a 180 day cycle like in the public schools.
Seeing the kids everyday has made a tremendous difference in
the learning process. It is amazing to see what these kids can
learn in one school year.
When did it start and how many students do
you have now?
I started my program in the fall of 1996. I have 240 at this
time. I am teaching: two sixth grade classes, two seventh grade
classes, two eight grade classes, and a combined seventh and
eighth grade class of all the best players in the school. 7 classes,
everyday. It is a great thing. My numbers are continually growing.
I could probably have another guitar teacher at my school If
I wanted to.
I heard that the guitar program expanded from
your school to district
wide...can you give us the brief overview of how that happened?
We just added a few schools every year, along the way. Several
each new school year. We have close to 40 teachers now teaching
guitar. All of which have attended the MENC/GAMA/NAMM teaching
guitar workshops. The demand for guitar across our district is
amazing. With every new school we open at the secondary level,
Guitar is part of the Fine Arts curriculum. We open 5-7 new schools
every year. It is hard to believe but I have witnessed it first
hand.
How many students are now taking guitar as
a result of that?
This is a hard one to answer. About 2,000 kids are playing guitar
this year. And probably about ,4000 have gone through the program
thoughout the years. This is really hard to figure without going
to each teacher and getting their numbers. I would say these
figures would be on the low side. It just keeps growing and growing.
At it is nice to have administrators that will let it happen
that way.
Is it still supported by the school board?
The support is awesome. All the school administrators seem to
love it. It gives the kids, who wouldn't be participating in
band, orchestra, and choir a place to go.
What should we do differently to get more
"bang" for the GAMA./NAMM/MENC supported effort?
I think it is great just the way it is. I just hope the people
of GAMA/NAMM/MENC continue to support this program. It is such
a great deal for the kids in my district and nationwide. It has
been a wonderful program to be associated with. I feel very honored
to now be on the teach staff too. I love being able to help people
start such a rewarding program for their music students.
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