GST BOCES Arts in Education 

Ruellene Seymour

at Beecher Elementary School

Ruellene Seymour teaches  Vocal Music for pre-K to 5^th grades at Beecher Elementary and Parley Coburn Elementary Schools in the Elmira City School District. She has  taught for about 20 years and also serves as the Director of Music at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. She coordinates many of the arts programs for Beecher Elementary School and is responsible for bringing in Mary Knysh, the current Artist of the Month,  to her classrooms. The thing she likes the most about teaching is " opening students' eyes to things they have not experienced before.   I believe in teaching through student experiences.  The rewards are great." The Arts programs are so important, according to Ruellene, "because I am a believer in the integration of the arts in all aspects of the curriculum.  You have to look at the total culture. Kids really need to experience the culture, not just read about it in a book."  She feels it is her job to open up their eyes to something that may not be a part of their world. In teaching her students, Ruellene finds herself a learner. Congratulations to Ruellene for bringing culture to her students and for creating a safe space for them where they feel confident to partake!

William Hyde
Music Teacher
Broad Horizons 

Music students at Broad Horizons have not only a teacher, but a working musician heading their classroom.  Their teacher, William Hyde, now is enjoying  his "moment" on a newly released CD! Moments was recorded with the band, TRYLOGY, with whom he has been a member for five years.  William is the group's percussionist. He has also played "lots of different instruments with lots of different bands."  He began playing drums in third grade and, as an adult, has played percussion in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan. In addition to playing percussion and doing some arrangements for Trylogy, he writes his own music for solo flute, handbell choir, piano and currently is still working on a ballet and a symphony. 

The thing he likes best about teaching is connecting with his students. The thing he likes best about performing is "the energy that you can feel from the other performers and audience."  His goals include becoming very proficient with computer music. 

According to William,  arts education is important because  "it helps you go deeper into yourself and you see how people and cultures are connected.  In the climate of fear and divisiveness we have currently, I think it is important." 

For more information on the band's CD,  click on the link below.

http://www.trylogymusic.com/