GMU Teaching Scholars-Costa Rica
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We are a group of six students from George Mason University’s School of Music selected to represent the University in its inaugural International Teaching Scholars (ITS) program in San Jose, Costa Rica this May 22-June 2, 2017. The International Teaching Scholars , a partnership with George Mason University’s Potomac Arts Academy , the Mason School of Music , the Nacional Instituto de la Musica in Costa Rica, and Costa Rica’s SINEM Program , serves to unite music education and community service outreach through real world experiences. ITS participants will have both performance and teaching opportunities which will include program building and career development within under-served student populations in addition to experience playing in both large and small ensembles. Our goal is to demonstrate first-hand the power of music and how it can impact and transform individuals and communities. We are excited for the opportunity to develop as professional musicians by experiencing a musical cultural exchange.
To make the trip possible, we need to raise money for transportation costs. Please join us in sharing music with the Costa Rican people and giving us the opportunity to strengthen our musical experiences as future performers and educators.
Below is a brief profile of the six teaching scholars:
Sammy Charriez Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Samantha Charriez will be graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in the spring of 2017. Sammy is an active performer and teacher in the northern Virginia area and she has her own private oboe studio. She has experience teaching instrumental and vocal students in both English and Spanish. Samantha wants to instill in her students’ hearts and minds the same passion that she has for music. Sammy cannot wait to share her passion in Costa Rica this summer as an International Teaching Scholar.
Lisa Eckstein (not pictured) is working on her doctorate in conducting at George Mason University. Her undergraduate and masters degrees are in music education from Indiana University and Temple University, respectively. She is in her 20th year of teaching. Her first fifteen years of experience were spent teaching at middle and high schools, and she spent ten years teaching in the Manassas Park City Schools district where she helped build the band program. For the past five years, Lisa has been teaching at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) on the Alexandria campus, and she directs a combined college and community band of about 75 members. She is excited to be a part of the first International Teaching Scholars program in Costa Rica through George Mason University and the Potomac Arts Academy!
Vannesa Nates is a junior music performance major from Haymarket, VA. Vannesa began playing the flute at age 10 and has gained experience playing in both large and small ensembles within and outside of her studies at George Mason University. In addition to her musical studies, Vannesa is also passionate about arts management, specifically with grants and development and currently interns with the Fairfax Arts Council. Vannesa is excited to bring both of these passions together while in Costa Rica and see how it will impact her future studies.
Krista Pack is a senior music education major from Centreville, Virginia. Krista began playing the flute at age 8 and has continued to deepen her passion for music through orchestral and recital performances in addition to running a private studio of flute students. While at GMU, Krista studied with Julianna Nickel and has been the principal flutist of both the Mason Symphony Orchestra and the Mason Wind Symphony, performing as a soloist with both ensembles on separate occasions. She has a desire to one day share her love of people, music, and education in impoverished areas both in the US and abroad. She is excited to see her future ambitions come to life in Costa Rica this summer.
Megan Stallings is a junior Music education major originally from Yorktown, Virginia. She attends George Mason University where she studies with Dr. Margaret Owens and is an active performer in a variety of large and small ensembles. Megan has the desire to help students realize their potential through music and help them find their passions. She is excited for this opportunity to immerse herself in the culture of Costa Rica and to broaden her teaching experiences.
Morgan Sutherland is a percussionist from Hampton, Virginia pursuing a degree in percussion performance with a minor in jazz studies at George Mason University. She currently studies with Professor John Kilkenny and Professor Victor Provost and is a performer in the Wind Symphony, Mason Percussion Group, and Steel Pan Ensemble at Mason. During her college career, Morgan has participated in the Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar and been a member of The Tidewater Winds Concert Band based in Norfolk, Virginia. With her love of teaching and performing, Morgan hopes to one day be able to teach at the collegiate level and perform as a soloist and in chamber ensembles.
To make the trip possible, we need to raise money for transportation costs. Please join us in sharing music with the Costa Rican people and giving us the opportunity to strengthen our musical experiences as future performers and educators.
Below is a brief profile of the six teaching scholars:
Sammy Charriez Originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Samantha Charriez will be graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education in the spring of 2017. Sammy is an active performer and teacher in the northern Virginia area and she has her own private oboe studio. She has experience teaching instrumental and vocal students in both English and Spanish. Samantha wants to instill in her students’ hearts and minds the same passion that she has for music. Sammy cannot wait to share her passion in Costa Rica this summer as an International Teaching Scholar.
Lisa Eckstein (not pictured) is working on her doctorate in conducting at George Mason University. Her undergraduate and masters degrees are in music education from Indiana University and Temple University, respectively. She is in her 20th year of teaching. Her first fifteen years of experience were spent teaching at middle and high schools, and she spent ten years teaching in the Manassas Park City Schools district where she helped build the band program. For the past five years, Lisa has been teaching at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) on the Alexandria campus, and she directs a combined college and community band of about 75 members. She is excited to be a part of the first International Teaching Scholars program in Costa Rica through George Mason University and the Potomac Arts Academy!
Vannesa Nates is a junior music performance major from Haymarket, VA. Vannesa began playing the flute at age 10 and has gained experience playing in both large and small ensembles within and outside of her studies at George Mason University. In addition to her musical studies, Vannesa is also passionate about arts management, specifically with grants and development and currently interns with the Fairfax Arts Council. Vannesa is excited to bring both of these passions together while in Costa Rica and see how it will impact her future studies.
Krista Pack is a senior music education major from Centreville, Virginia. Krista began playing the flute at age 8 and has continued to deepen her passion for music through orchestral and recital performances in addition to running a private studio of flute students. While at GMU, Krista studied with Julianna Nickel and has been the principal flutist of both the Mason Symphony Orchestra and the Mason Wind Symphony, performing as a soloist with both ensembles on separate occasions. She has a desire to one day share her love of people, music, and education in impoverished areas both in the US and abroad. She is excited to see her future ambitions come to life in Costa Rica this summer.
Megan Stallings is a junior Music education major originally from Yorktown, Virginia. She attends George Mason University where she studies with Dr. Margaret Owens and is an active performer in a variety of large and small ensembles. Megan has the desire to help students realize their potential through music and help them find their passions. She is excited for this opportunity to immerse herself in the culture of Costa Rica and to broaden her teaching experiences.
Morgan Sutherland is a percussionist from Hampton, Virginia pursuing a degree in percussion performance with a minor in jazz studies at George Mason University. She currently studies with Professor John Kilkenny and Professor Victor Provost and is a performer in the Wind Symphony, Mason Percussion Group, and Steel Pan Ensemble at Mason. During her college career, Morgan has participated in the Leigh Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar and been a member of The Tidewater Winds Concert Band based in Norfolk, Virginia. With her love of teaching and performing, Morgan hopes to one day be able to teach at the collegiate level and perform as a soloist and in chamber ensembles.
Organizer
Krista Pack
Organizer
Fairfax, VA
