My name is Kelly Pippin, and I am the Choral Director at Ridgewood Middle School. I was having a hard time trying to decide what I wanted to include in this portion of my webpage. Should I list my credentials? Should I talk about my children? Instead, I've decided to share a few things from my heart.
I am a firm believer that quality music is invaluable in the lives of our children. At risk of sounding melodramatic, I do believe that sharing music together has a way of healing hurts and changing lives. It fosters free expression, teamwork, and gives kids a sense of belonging. It is my dream that our choirs become a second family to each child and that none of these kids have to feel like they are alone or unloved. Music has the ability to touch people in very profound ways and our middle school students are no exception. I want them to have the safe place that they can express themselves without ridicule or fear.
In choir, though not a paperwork intensive class, students will also receive high quality academic instruction. They are literally learning to read a whole new language in music form. Each child will learn proper singing fundamentals and techniques as well as working on ear-training, sight singing, listening skills like balance and blend, and many character traits such as leadership and responsibility. It is my goal to challenge them everyday to think sympathetically, introspectively, or expressively. What do they love about the music to which they listen? What grabs them about certain song lyrics and why? What does the piece we're working on tell us about ourselves and about humanity? How can we as musicians convey those emotions through our performance?
Simply put, I love kids! I love singing together with a joyful noise! But ultimately, I love that I have the chance, the opportunity, to touch each student's life that they might leave my room a more compassionate, thoughtful, and empathetic young musician then when they arrived.
I am a firm believer that quality music is invaluable in the lives of our children. At risk of sounding melodramatic, I do believe that sharing music together has a way of healing hurts and changing lives. It fosters free expression, teamwork, and gives kids a sense of belonging. It is my dream that our choirs become a second family to each child and that none of these kids have to feel like they are alone or unloved. Music has the ability to touch people in very profound ways and our middle school students are no exception. I want them to have the safe place that they can express themselves without ridicule or fear.
In choir, though not a paperwork intensive class, students will also receive high quality academic instruction. They are literally learning to read a whole new language in music form. Each child will learn proper singing fundamentals and techniques as well as working on ear-training, sight singing, listening skills like balance and blend, and many character traits such as leadership and responsibility. It is my goal to challenge them everyday to think sympathetically, introspectively, or expressively. What do they love about the music to which they listen? What grabs them about certain song lyrics and why? What does the piece we're working on tell us about ourselves and about humanity? How can we as musicians convey those emotions through our performance?
Simply put, I love kids! I love singing together with a joyful noise! But ultimately, I love that I have the chance, the opportunity, to touch each student's life that they might leave my room a more compassionate, thoughtful, and empathetic young musician then when they arrived.