Applications of informal and popular music pedagogy in a music classroom
Bachelor of Music, Vocal Performance with K-12 Teaching Certification, University of Iowa
Masters of Music Education, University of Northern Iowa Megan is the Director of the Middle School 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Choirs, and also teaches General Music and coaches many soloists and small groups. She has been teaching at Knoxville since 2011. Outside of school, Megan is married to Matthew and together they have two children. In addition to their 'day' jobs, they raise heifer calves and maintain a small farm near Centerville. Megan teaches private vocal and piano lessons, plays and sings for many events such as weddings and funerals, and is a member of the Methodist Church group, Grace Notes. She also enjoys physical activies like crossfit, running, and working in her yard. |
Tara Smith is a middle school music educator with the Fort Dodge Community School District. She earned her B.M.E. from Morningside College in 1999 and her M.M. from the University of Northern Iowa in 2016. Her teaching career began in the Twin River Valley School District teaching 5-12 band. After two years, she moved to the Manson-Northwest Webster School District for a six year adventure teaching 5-8 band. For the past ten years, Tara has been the 5 th and 6 th grade band director for the Fort Dodge Community School District. Her teaching responsibilities also include music appreciation, middle school jazz band, and an after school music club. The idea for the format of the music club, promoting composition, improvisation and exploration through non-traditional methods of music instruction, was developed during her master’s degree studies at the University of Northern Iowa. Tara is an active clarinetist in her community and enjoys reading and bike riding. She lives in Fort Dodge with her husband and two children. Tara can be reached via email at [email protected].
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Megan Phillips and Tara Smith speak to Developments and Trends class on July 27, 2017.