Mount Vernon School District, WA

EXPERIENCE: I began teaching Music at Jefferson in 1993 and have remained here ever since.  Prior to that, I substitute taught for two years.  I have been the Director of Choral Music at Salem Lutheran Church since 1994.  I've sung leading roles with the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society and have performed with the Seattle Opera chorus.  I also perform with the Skagit Opera and have been Musical Director for three Skagit Opera productions. 

EDUCATION:  I hold a Bachelor of Music and Masters of Music from Western Washington University in Music Performance and have earned teaching endorsements in:
K-12 General Music
K-12 Vocal Music
K-12 Instrumental Music
K-8 General Education

PASSION/INTERESTS: Family, singing opera, learning new instruments, woodworking, stained glass, baking, computers.

Education: BA Music Ed. Western Washington University, 1989. MA Curriculum & Instruction. Creative Arts in Learning, Lesley College, 1997. Experience: Teaching music since 1989.

I am an Eastern Washington native, having graduated from EWU with a BA in K-8 General Education and endorsements in K-12 Reading and K-12 Instrumental Music Education.  Spending 4 years in Germany gave me the opportunity to earn my MA from the OU Abroad program in Teaching Instruction.  Eventually I made my way over to Western Washington and currently live in Bellingham with my son Bradley.  I teach K-6 General Music and have the wonderful teaching partnership with Amy McFeely (LaVenture Bands director), teaching 5/6th grade Development Band and 6th grade Cadet Band at 7:30 each morning before school. 

 Amy McFeely  attended the  the University of Puget Sound as a flute major and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Music in K-12 Music Education. She holds Master of Education Degree from the University of Washington in K-12  Special Education with an emphasis in Learning and Behavioral Disabilities. She began her teaching career with the Mount Vernon School District 1987 as an elementary music specialist, then had the great fortune to serve as a Resource and Consulting Teacher for Washington Elementary School before becoming the Director of Bands at LaVenture Middle School in 1997.  Ms. McFeely continues flute performance in the Skagit Valley and with the Skagit Community Band. Her educational philosophy centers on her belief and  passion that through music she can help each child realize their potential to pursue successful and joyful lives. The LaVenture Bands consider music a gift to be shared with our community and perform at our local elementary schools, the Mount Vernon Farmers Market, and La Conner waterfront in addition to our concert season, producing our annual CD, and performing in the Rotunda of the Washington State Capitol. 

Contact:
LaVenture Middle School (360)428-6116 ext. 31117            e-mail: amcfeely@mv.k12.wa.us

After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Music Education, Mr. Aaron Wagner began his teaching career in Warden, Washington in 2002 and has been teaching band and choir at Mount Baker Middle School since 2006.  He is a native of the Skagit Valley and graduated from Mount Vernon High School in the class of 1996.  His bands and choirs consistently receive top marks at festivals and competitions, his high school jazz band in Warden won one of 6 invitations to the University of Southern California International Jazz Festival, and his MBMS Jazz Band has performed at FolkLife Festival in Seattle WA.  He is a Who's Who Among America's Teachers in 2005 & 2006 and received the Grant County Excellence in Teaching award in 2004.  He has been a clinician for the MENC All-State Convention and has adjudicated for WMEA Solo & Ensemble and Large Group festivals.  He is on the board of directors for Skagit Valley's Theater Arts Guild and has served as the vocal and musical director for several TAG shows.  Above all else, though, is his passion for inspiring students to push the limits of what they think they can do and guiding them as they grow and mature in to young adults.  He wishes the best for his students in all endeavors they seek and thanks his colleagues for their continuing support and guidance.

Contact:
Phone: (360)428-6127 ext. 32131                email: awagner@mv.k12.wa.us

Mr. Scherr is active as a performer and conductor in orchestra, wind band, and operatic fields. He has held positions as conductor of the Plateau Symphony Orchestra, the Western Washington University opera production Gianni Schicchi, and music director for the world premiere opera ‘The Critic’ composed by Hau-Wei Chang. He has also guest-conducted the Gateway Concert Band, the North Sound Youth Symphony, the WWU Chamber Orchestra, the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, and he recently founded the Whatcom Wind Ensemble, which he co-conducts. In June of 2009 Mr. Scherr graduated with a degree in Music Education from Western Washington University, where he was the principle clarinetists of the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Scherr considers himself extremely fortunate to be the director of winds and percussion at Mount Vernon High School and looks forward to seeing continued success in the program.


Contact:
Phone: (360) 428-6109 ext. 41217             email: jscherr@mv.k12.wa.us