Beginning in August 2011-- I am the new Adjunct Oboe Instructor at Dixie State College in St. George, UT. It is only about a 20-30 minute drive from our house which may sound like a small jaunt but seems like child's play compared to my 80 minute (one way!!!) drives to Las Vegas between 3 and 5 times a week.
I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to do some teaching on the collegiate level. Up until this point, this is not something that I have had the chance to do-- it is difficult to gain college teaching experience because most colleges either want someone with at least one year of college teaching experience, or someone with a DMA.
Dixie has just gotten their charter to begin giving a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education as well as Bachelor's Degree in General Music, so it seems like the perfect place for a young teacher to start out. I will have the opportunity to build my own studio, recruit and retain students and hopefully get a nice little studio going!
Whereas I was kind of daydreaming about going to IDRS 2011 this year, now it is a definite MUST with all of the planning and preparation that I will have to do for the fall. It will be a great time to get lots of inspiration, hopefully some new insights, and just immerse myself in the oboe world for a little while! It isn't as easy to do all of that out here in the desert.
If anyone reading this blog is or was at any point a collegiate level oboe instructor, and you have tips for me-- please send them my way- I would really appreciate it!
SO EXCITED :)
Hi Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new gig!
I did the adjunct thing briefly during graduate school (now I'm a full-time professor). If I could go back and do it again, I would try to be more of a presence in the department, network, collaborate with the other faculty (adjunct and full-time), maybe do a recital. I found that the nature of an adjunct contract didn't particularly incentivize any of those things, so most days I entered the building through a back door, taught my small handful of students, and disappeared without seeing anyone.
I did the job I was hired to do, but I probably missed out on some opportunities that could have led to significant professional development, etc.
Good luck!
Hey Caitlin,
ReplyDeleteWhen you come to 2011, make sure to drop me a note! I'll look forward to meeting you!
Definitely Cooper! I am sure you will be busy helping out-- but I'd love to meet up with you!
ReplyDelete