This story is a part of the “My Favorite Class” series.
Abby Bernhardt is a first-generation college student and a recent graduate with a degree in Instrumental Music Education from Egg Harbor City (Atlantic County). Her favorite class was Instrumental Conducting 2 in the Music department taught by Dr. Joe Higgins.
Tell us a little about what the class is.
This class is a continuation of Conducting 1, and in this class you learn skills regarding how to conduct a band. We also focused a lot on things to do to make us better educators, and how to select repertoire that represents wide groups of people.
Share with us a few details on why this class was interesting or special to you.
I loved this class because it made me realize what I want to do with my future. I learned so many things that I had been waiting for since high school, and I plan on using all of them in my career.
Is there anything else that made this class impactful?
Dr. Higgins is a wonderful teacher and role model, and I am so grateful to have been able to have had this time spent learning from him.
What makes this professor great?
Dr. Higgins not only is an amazing educator himself, but he is very good at teaching others how to be their own type of great teacher also. He also is always around for a chat or some advice.
How did this class help to support your academic or personal growth, or your professional goals?
This class helped me solidify that I want to be a music teacher. I was always excited to go to class and learn new things that will help me immensely in my future. This class also gave me a lot of motivation to do well in school.
What are your professional goals?
I plan on being a music teacher for a bit and then getting my master’s and going into administration as an arts administrator or vice principal. This way I will be able to support my students in the classroom and then help to support them from above, and hopefully help others to see the importance of arts education.
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Story by:
Caitlyn Dickinson, public relations and advertising graduate