Teaching Background:
Ms. Symes graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, USA with a Bachelor of Arts Major in Music and Minor in K-12 Vocal Music Education. While at Luther, she was fortunate to have studied choral conducting with the late Weston Noble. Upon completing her diploma, Ms. Symes began teaching at Singapore American School in 2006, K-4 general music and Grade 5 beginner strings, then moving to Grade 6-8 Choir. Ms. Symes has recently relocated to Australia in 2021.
Ms. Symes graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, USA with a Bachelor of Arts Major in Music and Minor in K-12 Vocal Music Education. While at Luther, she was fortunate to have studied choral conducting with the late Weston Noble. Upon completing her diploma, Ms. Symes began teaching at Singapore American School in 2006, K-4 general music and Grade 5 beginner strings, then moving to Grade 6-8 Choir. Ms. Symes has recently relocated to Australia in 2021.
Music Teaching Specialties:
- Planned and implemented dynamic, engaging music lessons for grade levels 6-12, including the use of creating, listening, sight-reading, rhythmic and improvisational skills
- Taught general music with emphasis on Kodály, Orff and Dalcroze methodologies
- Piano lab
- Music technology integration (including; Garageband, Aurelius, ForScore, various music apps and websites)
- Multi-cultural instruments (gamelan, djembe, hand bells, angklung, etc) and world music
- Implementation of original Songwriting program
- Vocal Jury Project
- Musical Theater Music Direction
- Grade 5 Beginner Strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass)
- Cross-curricular collaboration projects
- Vocal jazz and string ensembles
- Adjudicated and held vocal masterclasses for vocal competitors in High School IASAS (Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools)
