Over my four years in the Heinz Chapel Choir, I’ve had the privilege of working with Dr. Rice in a variety of projects. Under her guidance, I have successfully led practices outside of class, organized fundraisers, designed and distributed merchandise, guided Big/Little Induction Ceremonies, and have recently given starting pitches to the choir during our concert series. In the Fall of 2020, I led the Sibling Choir Experiential Learning Service Project, initiating the ongoing sibling choir relationship with the University of Northern Iowa Varsity Men’s Glee Club.
When I discovered what this fellowship entails, I knew that working with the Heinz Chapel Choir would be a perfect opportunity to realize my teaching skills in a choral setting. Moreover, Dr. Rice and I have worked together on a significant number of projects in the past – not only does she know what I’m capable of, but she is also someone I know I can rely on if I have trouble. As an experienced pedagogue and musician, she understands what it’s like to experience music in front of and behind the podium – if there’s a moment of difficulty, she can expertly determine how to overcome those moments from a chorister’s point of view. In short, she’s a legend.
When I initially proposed my project, I had several broad ideas of how I could be of service. I didn’t have the knowledge of what the choir needed moving forward, which is where Dr. Rice came in. After several meetings, we were able to develop a project that addressed different skill sets in a way that is efficient, tangible, and to the point. I must admit, now that I’ve gotten in the swing of my office hours, imposter syndrome hits hard. Though I have my lesson plans in front of me, many of my endeavors remain in the moment – I must rely on my knowledge and my ears to determine what the student needs at that precise time. What if they ask a question that I don’t know the answer to? In combating those concerns, I often remind myself that I know more than I let myself believe. And, if I really don’t know what to do next, Dr. Rice is sure to navigate me in the right direction. Practice, collaboration, and honesty can go a long way!
To those who are considering engaging in teaching opportunities like this one, I’d recommend that you first consider the topics that you could talk about for hours; really hone in on a subject. From there, find a couple of professors that fit those considerations – ideally, you’ll reach out to a mentor who you’ve worked with/taken a class from before. Odds are, once you present a couple of ideas of what you bring to the table, they’ll have a sense of how you can both proceed. If it’s any solace, professors want to see you succeed, especially when it comes to helping others in a field they’re passionate about. So just give it a go and see where it leads you!
As always, stay *tuned* for more updates!