Interview of Ms. Lydia Kendell Influential Teacher Interview of Ms. Lydia Kendell

Who is Ms. Lydia Kendell? A University of Western Ontario Bachelor of Music – Piano graduate who specialized in Music Education The current orchestra and choir conductor at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School in London, Ontario Initially from Newfoundland Played a lot of Rachmaninoff Seems to love Russian orchestral music

What made her decide to go into teaching? Initially she was unsure of what she wanted to do in music Decided to take Introduction to Music Education Weighed out the pros and cons of each Music Education and Music Performance Decided that Music Education was a more reliable future and career, and she could see herself in a school setting

What tips would she give to new or future educators? It’s a lot more work than people believe it may be Teaching music vs enjoying music in highschool is very different, as suddenly you do all the background things that you didn’t see happen You have to be prepared for it to be your life, it’s more than just a job Don’t go into teaching for the benefits of salary and Christmases off, as those are the teachers that everyone dislikes Mental health has never been a more important issue, even students in grade nine come in with anxiety; so be aware of all mental health possibilities

What was her most notable experience while teaching? The last twelve years of her teaching at Laurier Working with the same three other musicians Building the Laurier music program up to where it is Continuing the traditions that were started by Henry Boldt and Steve Wolsley in 1966 The community, the parents, the kids Former Laurier teachers coming back to hear what’s going on in the program Having people who attended Laurier in the 90s tell her that they wish they could still be there now No photo of Margaret Wolsley found.

Has her teaching style Changed? If so, how has it changed? Yes it changed: It changes day to day It’s not just one way of teaching, each student has their own needs that she accommodates She likes getting to work immediately at the start of classes, and not telling stories for half an hour She’s not afraid to change things and be different when it is necessary, she won’t necessarily do things multiple times She asks students for their input and interests so that she can try to possibly include some into her lessons She sees herself as dynamic, always at the front of the class moving around, never sitting behind a desk waiting to be asked a question One on one style with each student, due to doing many extracurriculars not relying on the classroom to solely make relationships with her students

How did she find studying at Western? Loved her experience at Western Being out of province she did lots of things such as student council Not living in Delaware she found she had a nice balance of music friends and non-music friends so life was never a dull moment She loved the challenge of the music program and her studio teacher Loved singing in the choirs and played as the lead piano player in the jazz band in her fourth year Focused on vocal music while at Alt House for teacher’s college, as she did not want to have to possibly teach band as it wasn’t her passion

What are some of her favourite pieces in the last five years? Tchaikovsky’s Marche Slave Gustav Holst’s St. Paul’s Suite Edvard Grieg’s Holberg Suite Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 Mendelssohn’s Sinfonia in e minor Mussorgsky’s Great Gate of Kiev Vaughan Williams’ Rhosymedre https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWN_osadVEM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kymJPJTUftY

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