Strung Out Strings

I'm one of those vintage string teachers who wants to share the little things that they have learned over the years but more importantly any new ideas that might emerge. I've taught 5th through 12th grade orchestra and I'm still learning. I would say how many year's I've taught but at this point, many people would just think that my years makes me out of touch with current trends so I'll leave you guessing.

I have to have fun while I'm teaching. I set expectations with students and try to keep my spirit light during the day. No one wants to spend their days with people that they don't enjoy working with. My students are my people and I work hard not to have to work hard if you know what I mean.

I'm a Texas Orchestra Director with National Board Certification. I have been runner up in Texas Honor Orchestra and have a more UIL trophies than most people can imagine as we (with my co-directors) often would take 3 or more groups to contest every year. Over the years, I've worked in very affluent intermediate and high schools but my shining moments are happening now with beginning strings in a Title One school. I've never been happier as I feel that I am really adding quality to my students' lives in a way that I had not done before.

I was awarded a full scholarship and college teaching assistant position for my Master’s degree which was completed in Music Education at Kent State University. I received my Bachelor of Music Education from The Crane School of Music from State University of New York with a concentration in violin.

Ms. Russell is a sought-out Houston based orchestral clinician, judge, workshop presenter, and private teacher. She recently received her National Board Certification in Orchestra. Over her almost thirty years of teaching orchestra, she has had many orchestras rank in the top 10 in Texas Honor Orchestra competitions including runner up with Jennifer Kidwell. She also has over 70 UIL Sweepstakes to her name in both string and full orchestra categories. She has conducted high school orchestras at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie hall in New York City as well as Jones Hall in Houston. Currently, she is working with 5th and 6th graders at one of the largest middle school programs in Pasadena, Morris Middle School. She has built programs in many schools including Clear Falls High School, Space Center Intermediate, Clear Lake Int., Seabrook Int., and Jackson Int. She is a Texas UIL judge and has been a guest conductor for many region orchestras throughout the state. She has worked with students as a conductor and artistic director through the Bay Area Youth Symphony, Greater Houston Youth Orchestra, and spent over ten years as executive director of two summer camps: Mark Wood Rock Orchestra Camp in Kansas City and Sizzling Strings Summer Camp in Houston.