Personal Background 
Personal Background
I am a fourth year student at the University of Florida and received my Associate in Arts Degree from Palm Beach Community College. I transferred to UF in 2007 where I will graduate with my Bachelor's degree in Music Education. Although my musical background emphasizes on flute performance, I have been apart of a diverse amount of musical activities in which I played other instruments including the baritone horn, baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, single tenor (lead) steel drum and bass steel drums. Some of the ensembles I have performed in were The Magic drum and bugle corps in 2006, Jazz combo, Concert Band, Wind Ensembles, Symphony Orchestra, Woman's choral, Steel Drum Ensemble, and several chamber groups.
I have had the opportunity to teach in West Palm Beach and Gainesville Florida where i've worked with a wide range of ages with different musical backgrounds. In the elementary setting i've worked with second and fourth grader's using Orff Schulwerk methods. I've also worked with a beginning sixth grade band as a whole, in sectionals, and on individual instruments (of all types). As for my high school teaching experience, I have worked with marching bands as a visual instructor and musical advisor and with wind ensembles as a band assistant. (For more information on Ms. Colletti's teaching experience, please refer to her resume, available from the home page).
Aside from studying in the United States , I have also done some light traveling to broaden my view on diverse populations and music education. I studied music history with Dr. Oliver Kraft and flute performance with Mrs. Beatrice Rentsch for six weeks in Salzburg Austria where I stayed with a host family. While learning about music history I was able to sight see some of the architecture mentioned in class in Venice, Vienna, Paris, Prague, Salzburg and Munich. I also was in touch with a music teacher at a local secondary school in Salzburg . This gave me an opportunity to observe a music teacher and seventh grade students.
Although Salzburg was quite the educational experience, I have learned much about diversity from traveling to Guayaquil and Quito Ecuador and Punta Cana Dominican Republic. These countries were the most beneficial as far as adapting to different cultures and appreciating diversity.
Now I would like to give a brief synopses on why I chose to teach, some significant influences in my life, and a short insight to some of my philosophy.
The "why" in what I do
I realized at a young age that performing music was a natural, pure interest of mine. Down the road, education was soon to follow. My mother and father surrounded me in a world of music performance. I was encouraged to sing with my family and in front of large crowds from long before I can remember. By the age of five I had my first baby piano, by eleven I had my first flute, and now, I am trying desperately to acquire all the knowledge I can on the world of music. I think it is fare to say that my first significant influence on my life were my parents.
My parents always made sure of one thing as my musical interest began to grow, they made sure I was always having fun. As I grew up, I realized that while I was having fun performing, I was also learning about music and developing other types of intelligences. As my parents introduced music to me, my teachers were the ones who helped expand my knowledge on music education, one in particular, my high school band director. I've gained several possitive life lesson's and musical experiences thanks to Evan Rogovin.
One of the most important things I learned from Mr. Rogovin was the one thing my parents knew from the start; that music should always be fun. There is a lot of discipline and concentration demanded in music education and can become a stressful environment. Mr. Rogovin always made sure to remind us to have fun. He also used to say “When you come into this class, leave everything else at the door. It will still be there waiting for you when you leave”. As a teenager, that was a powerful lesson for me. Children's minds tend to dwell on the smallest dramas and problems in life, therefore, to be reminded to absorb music education for one hour was a nice release of emotions. Another thing I always admired about Mr. Rogovin is that although he was no doubt our superior, he always treated us as adults. This encouraged us all into the process of thinking and behaving as adults.
Aside from life lessons, Mr. Rogovin gave us all the musical opportunities a high school band director could. I learned more from him in my Advanced Placement Music Theory class then I did in my first two semesters of college music theory. He was always clear to explain why, what, how and when we were to do something and had us busy with a diverse amount of events, performances and musical activities. I can honestly say that being apart of music in school has made me a better student and person, and because of Mr. Rogovin, I am eager in becoming as great of a teacher to my students as he is to his.
Although music was about the only subject I took interest in up through high school, I have other interests that I personally believe to have a positive influence on my life and my beliefs in education. I have grown a profound interest in health and physical fitness. I worked at a gymnasium for up to five years and learned quite a lot about exercise, eating right, stretching, and understanding your own body. This has become a critical issue in the US and frankly is very important in the musical setting. Performing music is a physical activity whether with an instrument or voice. Breathing, physical strength and health can make a significant difference on someone's musicianship. Because I find health to be so important, I will encourage students to understand what their health can do to their bodies and musicianship and ways to help them appreciate and care for their health.
The last thing I would like to mention about outside hobbies is that it is vital for everyone to have one. Music is obviously a beloved hobby of mine, but I do not believe it should consume my life. It is soothing to take my mind off of music for a while and go Jet skiing or take a run on the beach and let my mind wonder off. I want my students to know that although I believe music is important and should be practiced, I do not want to try and absorb all of their free time purely for music. I hope they learn that there should always be a balance in everything we do in life.
It is through education that we try to unify the diversity we encounter everyday, learn from each other as students and teachers, acquire prior and current information to help build our own beliefs and bring new ideas to mind. No matter where a person is, who they are talking to, or what subject matter they are learning, students who have a question will learn from their curiosity. I believe it is crucial for students to have the opportunity to explore this curiosity. It is necessary for their success in life skills, survival, and happiness. What better places for them to do so then in a classroom with professionals who may help foster their knowledge. That is why I have always wanted to be a person who could help nurture a student's education. More importantly, I want to be the teacher who does it through music education. Aside from the aesthetic experiences music can provide, the academic support it brings to every subject is distinctive and undeniable. It is a life long education that keeps on giving and will keep students active and knowledgeable about the world around them. That is why I want to teach music and provide the next generation with the same opportunities I was so lucky to encounter.
Teaching Philosophy
