Jill Wheat

Jill has been teaching private voice and piano lessons since 1997.  She is currently teaching general music & 4th Grade Chorus at the Ichabod Crane Middle School in Valatie, NY.  Jill has previously taught twelve years of public school general & choral music and drama programs encompassing grades PK - 12.  As a soprano soloist, she loves to sing!  She has performed with OperaUnMet in Boston, MA and community theaters throughout New England.  She is a public school certified music teacher in the states of ME, MA & NY and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts from Emerson College, Boston, MA.  Jill teaches music from the Kodaly pedagogy perspective having studied in the Kodaly Summer Institute at New England Conservatory of Music.

Arts education is a multi-generational process including traditions collected across time.   Younger generations learn the value of the arts and carry it with them adding, altering and experimenting to adjust to our ever changing environment.  To this end Jill has participated within a variety of community & arts related organizations including: Albany Contra Dance Committee  Member, Berkshire Lyric Choir Member ~ First Congregational Church, Stockbridge, MA Kids Choir Director & Christian Education Chairman ~ Green Mountain Weavers and Spinners Guild Member ~ New England Folk Festival Association Dance Performances Chair ~ Lancaster Cultural Council Chairman ~ Massachusetts Cultural Council Member ~ Lancaster MA Contra Dance Founder & Organizer ~ Camden ME Civic Theater Board Member.

Teaching, weaving, sewing, singing with others, dancing, working in the garden & spending time outside all bring her joy.  It seems that seeing people being kind and creating smiles amongst each other may be some of the best moments that Jill has observed.  As a teacher, performer and crafter, she has learned that creating, sharing and giving are some of the most rewarding and productive skills one can acquire.

A few rough recordings of Jill singing, playing & directing are below.  (Each has its own variety of various recording distortions):