CLS Music Essence
249 Followers
Windsor, Colorado, United States
About the store
Welcome! I’m delighted you’re here. I am a veteran K-12 music teacher with a fulfilling career in music education. Over the years, I've had the joy of guiding students across multiple grade levels, from elementary music students through middle and high school musicians. Each stage of a student's musical journey is unique and exciting, and I’ve cherished every moment.
My educational background includes degrees in both Music Therapy and Music Education. This combination has enabled me to bring a therapeutic, inclusive approach to my teaching, ensuring that each student feels valued and inspired.
My teaching experience spans private, public, and homeschool communities where I’ve worked with diverse, multi-grade level groups. I’ve learned to provide engaging, interactive music lessons that go beyond traditional classroom settings.
In addition to my extensive teaching career in public and private schools, I’ve owned and operated a music studio where I provided personalized instruction in choir, ukulele, guitar, and piano. My love for musical theater has also led me to direct numerous productions, blending the magic of storytelling with the power of music.
Whether it's strumming a ukulele, feeling the rhythm of world percussion, or singing in harmony with a choir, I strive to create a learning environment where students can explore their musical passions and discover new talents. My goal is always to nurture a lifelong love for music in each of my students.
I am passionate about sharing my extensive knowledge with the next generation of music educators to provide music activities that will continue inspiring music students and bring the joy of music into the classroom. I craft music activities that ensure students grasp fundamental concepts in an enjoyable manner, aiming to make music education accessible, exciting, and impactful for both teachers and students.
Thank you for visiting my store. I look forward to sharing the joy of music with you!
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Music Symbol Sudoku Game Worksheet Activities Sub or Lesson Plan All Levels
Looking for engaging music games, low-prep easy lesson plans, ready-to-use music sub plans, and digital music activities for multiple grade levels? This Music Sudoku Bundle gives you printable and digital music literacy practice for elementary, middle school, and high school students all in one value-packed resource.PDF, BW & Digital Google Slides This detective-themed bundle transforms traditional sudoku puzzles into meaningful music literacy practice by replacing numbers with music notation s
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Vocal Music
High School Music Symbols Sudoku Worksheets Band Choir General Music Sub Plan
Looking for a music game that is age-appropriate for older students, a low-prep, easy lesson plan, or an engaging music sub plan that still reinforces music literacy? These High School Music Sudoku Worksheet activities with Bonus Music Symbol Review Cards offer a more advanced puzzle challenge while reviewing important music notation symbols. PDF & BW This printable resource transforms traditional Sudoku into a music classroom activity by replacing numbers with music symbols. Students must use l
9th - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Vocal Music
Middle School Music Symbols Sudoku Puzzle Game Band Choir General Music Sub Plan
Need a fun music game, a no-prep easy lesson plan, or an engaging music sub plan for middle school students? These Middle School Music Sudoku Worksheet activities with Bonus Music Symbol Review Cards provide the perfect combination of music review, logic, and independent problem solving. PDF & BW This detective-themed printable resource challenges students to solve Sudoku-style puzzles using music notation symbols. While students enjoy the familiar puzzle format, they are also reinforcing recog
6th - 8th
Instrumental Music, Music, Vocal Music
Elementary Music Symbol Sudoku Puzzle Worksheet Games Easy Sub or Lesson Plan
Need a fun music game, a low-prep easy lesson plan, or a meaningful music sub plan that keeps elementary students engaged and learning? These Music Sudoku Worksheets with Bonus Music Symbol Review cards are the perfect no-prep printable activity for elementary music class ! PDF & BW This engaging detective-themed resource combines music symbol review with the familiar challenge of Sudoku puzzles, creating quiet but highly effective music literacy activities students will enjoy. With differentia
3rd - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Vocal Music
Olympic Theme Hymn Easy Middle School Music History Activities, Sub Plan Lesson
Bring Olympic excitement into your music classroom with this easy Olympic Theme Music history lesson plan featuring the Olympic Hymn! Includes worksheet and coloring page activities. Also makes an easy sub plan. PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides. This easy and engaging lesson introduces students to the music history of the Olympic Hymn, the powerful anthem heard during the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games. Students learn how the hymn was written for the first modern Olympics in 18
5th - 8th
Ancient History, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Elementary Music Unit Bundle Listening Maps, Activities
Are you looking for an elementary music unit? The Carnival of the Animals bundle includes individual lesson plans for each of the 14 songs with listening maps, music activities, worksheets, and Free Bonus Materials. It is the perfect addition to your music classroom or a great substitute plan. PDF, BW, Digital Google Slides Designed for elementary students, this engaging unit explores Camille Saint-Saëns’ 14-movement suite through music elements, creative listening, and fun follow-up activitie
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music
The Carnival of the Animals Finale - music lesson, listening map, activities
Looking for a fun and engaging way to introduce The Carnival of the Animals Finale to your elementary music students? This interactive music lesson brings Camille Saint-Saëns’ thrilling final movement to life with listening maps, movement, and creative music activities that get students excited about music! PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides "Step right up!" It’s the grand Finale from The Carnival of the Animals! This lesson includes a teacher script to help you introduce the piece in a fun, carni
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music
The Swan from the Carnival of the Animals Music Activities - Camille Saint-Saëns
Looking for fun and engaging music activities to teach The Swan from Carnival of the Animals? This easy-to-use music lesson or sub plan is perfect for introducing elementary students to music that paints a vivid picture. With a mix of music history, movements, and activities, students will experience this beautiful piece through multiple learning styles. PDF-BW- Digital Google Slides Lesson OverviewBegin The Swan with a brief music history and explore the musical elements of meter, tempo, for
2nd - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Fossils Carnival of the Animals Listening Map & Music Activities for Elementary
Looking for a unique and engaging way to teach the song Fossils from Carnival of the Animals? This fun and interactive lesson plan is perfect for elementary music students! With connections to music history, listening maps, and creative follow-up activities, students will explore how Saint-Saëns turned bits of music into a playful musical fossil. PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides Discover the Magic of Music Fossils with Saint-Saëns' Fossils from Carnival of the Animals!Students will love digging into
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Arts)
Pianists Carnival of the Animals Camille Saint-Saëns Music Lesson Activities
Are you seeking a music lesson plan to support songs from The Carnival of the Animals? Pianists by Camille Saint-Saëns is the spark your students need to appreciate the mastery of playing the piano! Includes music activities. PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides Are Pianists animals? Well at least in The Carnival of the Animals they are. Camille Saint-Saëns was a gifted pianist who saw humor in exaggerating the countless hours it takes to become a skilled piano player. He used scale finger exercises a
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Aviary Bird Soundscape Music Activities and Worksheets
Are you looking for new ways to teach Carnival of the Animals Songs? This music lesson plan on Aviary by Camille Saint-Saëns gives you the details to get the most out of this beautiful piece of music. Bird Soundscape, music elements, and musical instruments with engaging activities and worksheets! PDF, BW, Google Slides Walk through this lush tropical Aviary with exotic birds swooping all around you. Camille Saint-Saëns masterfully created this soundscape, carefully crafting the music and sele
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Pie Music Rhythm Activities, Bucket Drums, Coloring Page, Write the Room
Are you looking for fun music rhythm activities? Perfect for your upper elementary and middle school music classrooms, this engaging music lesson plan will have your students moving, playing, and learning—all while celebrating National Pi Day (March 14) or any pie-loving occasion. PDF-BW-digital Google Slides Write the Room Music Pie Rhythm Games A fun, active way to reinforce note values. Students search the room to find 10 different pies and write down the rhythm patterns that match the spoke
3rd - 8th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Song Cuckoo Steady beat, Sing-Play-Move Music Activities
Are you searching for an engaging music lesson on The Carnival of the Animals? Bring "The Cuckoo in the Deep Woods" by Camille Saint-Saëns to life with these interactive music activities that encourage your elementary music classroom to sing, play, & move! Easily fit any teaching style - PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides. Your elementary music students will love exploring animal sounds and discovering how the call of the Cuckoo bird sings his own name “ Cu-ckoo.” Expand this simple yet captivating
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Song Long Ears- High Low Pitch Music Activities & Games
Engage your elementary music students with this creative and imaginative lesson plan based on Characters with Long Ears from Camille Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals. Music activities and worksheets are perfect for reinforcing the concept of high and low pitches. This lesson taps into your students' curiosity, humor, and creativity while meeting learning objectives. What’s Included:Animal Guessing Game: Grab your students' attention with 4 clues that will help students guess the animal for
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Aquarium Carnival of the Animals Camille Saint-Saëns Engaging Music Activities
Are you looking for captivating and interactive music activities? Camille Saint-Saëns Aquarium from Carnival of the Animals will transform your classroom into an engaging magical underwater adventure! PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides. Introduce your students to the enchanting sounds of Aquarium while exploring movement, form, and fascinating instruments like Benjamin Franklin's glass armonica. Students will be mesmerized as they discover how this unique invention contributed to the shimmering, magic
K - 4th
Art, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Kangaroos Romantic Era Music Activities, Coloring Page
Are you wondering how to use Carnival of the Animals songs in the music classroom? See how the Camille Saint-Saëns song Kangaroos can be fun, and exciting - teach time signatures, grace notes, and other music terms with engaging music activities. PDF-BW-Digital Google slides Share this fun bouncing song Kangaroos with your students and spark their creativity with movement, worksheets, music history, listening map, teacher's lesson script, and follow-up questions. Hear how Camille Saint-Saëns w
K - 5th
Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Elephant Waltz Cup Movement Music Activities Sub plans
Bring the magic of The Elephant from The Carnival of the Animals to your classroom. This engaging, easy music activities lesson or sub-plan encourages listening, music cup movement, and creativity through Camille Saint-Saëns' whimsical portrayal of elephants "dancing" a waltz. PDF, BW Digital Google Slides Students will learn about a waltz dance and explore how music can mimic the character of animals. Using a variety of fun, hands-on music activities—including a creative music listening map,
K - 5th
Art, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Tortoises, Tempo, Form, Drumming Music Activities,
Bring Carnival of the Animals playful song Tortoises to life with these hands-on, music activities for an engaging lesson plan that introduces students to the humor and creativity of Camille Saint-Saëns’ classical music! PDF, BW, and Digital Google Slides formats for flexible use. This Carnival of the Animals lesson centers around Camille Saint-Saëns’ song Tortoises and his clever twist on the lively Can Can dance tune, turning the energetic song to an andante tempo, capturing the “slow and st
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Song Wild Donkeys Melodic Contour Music Activities
Bring the excitement of The Carnival of the Animals song Wild Donkeys to your elementary music classroom. This engaging music lesson or sub plan focuses on melodic contour, presto, forte, and additional music terms including engaging music activities. PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides What’s Included:Start with fun, easy-to-understand pictures—rollercoasters, waterfalls, and wind—that guide students’ voices as they follow the highs and lows of melodic contour. These images help students understand h
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Carnival of the Animals Hens and Roosters - Staccato, legato, Music Activities
Looking for fun music activities to teach Carnival of the Animals song Hens and Roosters? This elementary music lesson or sub-plan is perfect for engaging students in listening to music that creates a vivid picture of a farmyard and introduces them to key music vocabulary terms and musical instruments. PDF-BW-Digital Google Slides In this music lesson of Carnival of the Animals song Hens and Roosters, students will explore the lively sounds of staccato, legato, and trill as they listen to the
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Showing 1-20 of 144 results
About the store
Experience
Welcome! I’m delighted you’re here. I am a veteran K-12 music teacher with a fulfilling career in music education. Over the years, I've had the joy of guiding students across multiple grade levels, from elementary music students through middle and high school musicians. Each stage of a student's musical journey is unique and exciting, and I’ve cherished every moment.
My educational background includes degrees in both Music Therapy and Music Education. This combination has enabled me to bring a therapeutic, inclusive approach to my teaching, ensuring that each student feels valued and inspired.
My teaching experience spans private, public, and homeschool communities where I’ve worked with diverse, multi-grade level groups. I’ve learned to provide engaging, interactive music lessons that go beyond traditional classroom settings.
In addition to my extensive teaching career in public and private schools, I’ve owned and operated a music studio where I provided personalized instruction in choir, ukulele, guitar, and piano. My love for musical theater has also led me to direct numerous productions, blending the magic of storytelling with the power of music.
Whether it's strumming a ukulele, feeling the rhythm of world percussion, or singing in harmony with a choir, I strive to create a learning environment where students can explore their musical passions and discover new talents. My goal is always to nurture a lifelong love for music in each of my students.
I am passionate about sharing my extensive knowledge with the next generation of music educators to provide music activities that will continue inspiring music students and bring the joy of music into the classroom. I craft music activities that ensure students grasp fundamental concepts in an enjoyable manner, aiming to make music education accessible, exciting, and impactful for both teachers and students.
Thank you for visiting my store. I look forward to sharing the joy of music with you!
Teaching style
My teaching style is rooted in inclusivity, nurturing, and a hands-on approach that stems from my background in music therapy. This degree has naturally shaped my teaching philosophy, emphasizing an inclusive approach that ensures every student feels valued and inspired in the classroom.
I believe deeply in the power of music to transcend barriers and connect people from all backgrounds and abilities. I create a welcoming and supportive environment where each student's unique strengths and challenges are embraced. I prioritize individualized attention and positive reinforcement.
Being a nurturing educator means not only fostering technical skills but also nurturing creativity and confidence in my students. I strive to create opportunities for hands-on learning experiences that engage students directly with music, whether through playing instruments, learning music history, or exploring different music cultural styles. By celebrating diversity and promoting a culture of respect and empathy, I aim to empower students to express themselves authentically through music.
In essence, my teaching philosophy combines the therapeutic benefits of music with a commitment to inclusivity and hands-on learning, inspiring students to discover their potential and develop a lifelong love for music.
Awards & shining teacher moments
I've been honored to receive the Youth Arts Award for Outstanding Direction of Musical Theater, which underscores my dedication to nurturing young talent and fostering creativity on stage. This recognition not only reaffirms my passion for musical theater but also highlights my ability to inspire and lead students' artistic growth.
As a performing arts team leader, I've collaborated with fellow music educators to enhance our course offerings and showcase the depth of musical expression. Serving as the student choice graduation commencement speaker was a true privilege, allowing me to celebrate the achievements of the students I've mentored and taught.
Throughout my career, I've excelled as a course curriculum designer and innovator, consistently exploring new methods to enrich music education. I take pride in crafting engaging lesson plans that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring each student enjoys a comprehensive musical education experience.
One of my most cherished creations is a world percussion class featuring hand drumming, xylophones, steel pans, and a variety of auxiliary percussion instruments. This class has been a favorite among students for its immersive and dynamic approach to exploring global rhythms.
These awards and moments of recognition reinforce my commitment to excellence in music education and theater, motivating me to continue making a positive impact on the lives of students and educators alike.
My own education history
My educational journey has been a blend of Music Therapy and Music Education, each contributing uniquely to my approach as an educator.
I earned my Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy, a discipline focused on harnessing music's power to achieve social-emotional, motor rehabilitation, and cognitive goals. This training instilled in me a deep understanding of how music can be a transformative tool for healing and development across diverse populations.
Additionally, I pursued graduate studies to obtain my Music Education licensure. This advanced training enriched my pedagogical skills and deepened my knowledge of music theory, history, and performance techniques. It provided me with the foundation to effectively teach a wide range of musical disciplines, from strings, choir, guitar, and piano to ukulele and world percussion.
Combining these educational experiences has enabled me to create a holistic and inclusive approach to music education. Whether teaching in traditional classroom settings, private lessons, or home school groups, I draw on both music therapy principles and rigorous musical education to tailor my music activities and lessons to be engaging and reach diverse needs.
My goal is not only to impart musical knowledge and skills but also to nurture a deep appreciation for music as a tool for personal growth, expression, and connection. I am passionate about sharing these experiences and insights with fellow educators, enriching the educational landscape with the transformative power of music.
Additional biographical information
See my website clsmusicessence.com for details
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