Samara Gromer grew up in Big Flats playing piano and French horn at a young age. When she got to Horseheads High School she was also very involved in select choirs and the musical theater productions (She's always been "a ham") there.  She was a double major at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, in French horn performance and music education, got her masters degree at The Hartt School of music in Hartford, CT (part of the University of Hartford).  Her degree there was in Early Childhood Music Education. She's been a public school vocal music teacher since 1993----started her career in Naples, FL. She's taken 2 Orff Schulwerk post grad. levels at the Eastman School where she was introduced to the idea of an elementary Drum Ensemble and the conga drums, especially. Because of her instrumental background,  she was very interested in this as a way of motivating talented children. She received a large grant from The Golden Apple Teacher awards program in Naples to start an ensemble, so when she moved back to Elmira in 2001 she wanted to start another similar program---so she got the grant from the BOCES Teacher Center to get them started at Riverside. Their DRUM program and choral program here has really started to grow..."I hope it will continue...I feel my job is to get children excited about music early in their lives so they will continue to have that interest into their adult life and become music supporters themselves."  Two students Samara has excited include two capable girls,  Alanna C. and Danielle C.  Read about this pair below. 

Recently,  Samara, with her colleague, music teacher Mary Jane Todd Eckel, coordinated a drumming performance and workshop with Bernard Woma, master drummer from Ghana. 

ARTS STUDENTS IN THE NEWS AT RIVERSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!

 

Alanna C. and Danielle C. , two students in the news!

Danielle C. is 10 years old and in 5th grade.  Her favorite art form is music with her favorite musician being "Jo Jo."  Her favorite dancer is "Usher."   Her favorite art subject is "Orchestra and her favorite academic subject is Math.  In the future,  Danielle would like to be a chef or some kind of musician. Danielle has earned high honors in school and award in a projram called "Celebrate Success," and has won awards in basketball.   According to Mrs. Delaney,  "Danielle is a very capable student."  Mrs. Bau agrees and reports that she also "works well with others."   

Alanna C., is also 10 years old and in grade five at Riverside School. Her favorite art form is music and her favorite art subject is "Band."   Her favorite academic subject is science.  Alanna's teacher, J.B. reports that "Alanna is a great student." Ms. Delaney says that she "can always count on Alanna to come through with whatever I ask of her."  Finally,  Mrs. Baer says that "Alanna is an excellent student. It is a pleasure to work with her each day."  

 

 

For more,  see

www.gstbocesartsineducation.blogspot.com

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