About the store
I am a retired New York City Department of Education teacher with experience teaching music and general education for grades K–12. I taught a wide range of music courses including various instrumental music classes and general music. My teaching focuses on creativity, music composition, and student engagement, helping students develop musical skills while connecting music to other subjects.
I have also provided professional development workshops for educators in the New York City Department of Education and New Jersey. Through Vinci eLearn, I create classroom-tested music lessons, worksheets, and creative activities that help teachers save time and inspire students to explore music.
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Music & Movement Fitness Pack | Elementary Music
Turn your music classroom into an active, high-energy learning environment! Printable/digital resource combines music education, movement games, rhythm training, fitness challenges, and classroom management systems into one complete interactive pack. Music & Movement Fitness Pack improves: Rhythm skillsCoordinationListeningFocus Teamwork Physical movement through musicThis structured system teaches students how to:Keep a steady beatImprove rhythm accuracyBuild body coordinationStrengthen liste
1st - 6th
Music, Physical Education
Also included in: Elementary Music Movement Bundle
Substitute Music & Movement Fitness Pack | K-5 (General Music)
This Substitute Music & Movement Fitness Pack gives you engaging, structured activities that keep students active, focused, and under control—without planning, materials, or stress. No prep requiredKeeps students engaged AND controlledEasy to follow for ANY substituteWorks in small or large spacesCombines movement + classroom managementBest For:Brain breaksEmergency sub plansIndoor recessPE warm-upsMusic & movement lessonsPerfect for:Substitute teachersElementary classrooms (K–5)PE and music cla
K - 5th
Music, Physical Education
Also included in: Substitute Elementary Music Teacher Bundle
Songwriting & Expression Toolkit: Creative Cards | Grades 4-12
The Songwriting & Expression Toolkit: Creative Cards is a ready-to-use, no-prep resource designed to help students develop songwriting, creative writing, and self-expression skills through structured, engaging questions. Clear, actionable promptsStructured songwriting practiceBuilt-in differentiation (easy to advanced)Engaging, game-based learning opportunitiesStudents don’t just write—they build real songwriting skills. Ready-to-use activities for:Bell ringersCenters & stationsGroup songwritin
4th - 12th
Music, Other (ELA), Social Emotional Learning
Elementary Music Rhythm Activities Bundle
Clapping Rhythms ActivitiesThese rhythmic clapping activities help students internalize beat, tempo, and rhythm patterns through engaging, hands-on practice. Perfect for elementary and middle school general music, these exercises build counting skills, coordination, and listening accuracy while making rhythm learning fun and interactive. Ideas in Teaching Elementary Music (Rhythm) LessonThis resource provides practical ideas and activities for teaching rhythm in elementary music classes. Desig
K - 5th
Instrumental Music, Music, Vocal Music
Mega Deck for Songwriting Activities | 100 Creative Songwriting Cards
100 Creative Songwriting Cards Inspire creativity and musical expression in your classroom with this 100 Creative Songwriting idea Cards Mega Deck. These printable music task cards help students generate ideas for lyrics, rap verses, song hooks, and full song concepts. Perfect for music composition lessons, songwriting units, rap writing activities, and creative music centers, these prompts encourage students to explore emotions, storytelling, and musical imagination while practicing lyric writi
4th - 12th
Creative Writing, Music, Other (ELA)
Calm Classroom Toolkit | SEL, Special Education
Transform your classroom into a calm, focused, and emotionally supportive environment with this music-based regulation toolkit designed specifically for elementary students (K–5). This ready-to-use resource gives you a simple, structured system to help students self-regulate, reset emotions, and refocus learning using the power of music, breathing, and mindful routines. This Resourc ✔ Reduces classroom disruptions and off-task behavior ✔ Supports SEL (Social Emotional Learning) goals ✔ Easy to i
K - 5th
Classroom Community, School Psychology, Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning Bundle
Emotions: How they Make Us Feel - Guides and WorksheetsThis Emotions and Reflection Guide is designed to help students understand, recognize, and reflect on their feelings. Created with a guidance counselor focus, this resource encourages meaningful interaction between counselors and students while building emotional awareness and resilience. Mandala Reflections: A Break for AllMandala Reflections is a mindful art resource that encourages students to explore their personal journey, creativity,
4th - 12th
Character Education, School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Melody Task Cards: Write a Melody
Help students explore melody with confidence and creativity using these Melody Task Cards, designed to develop understanding of melodic contour, phrasing, and musical expression. By writing and analyzing short melodic lines, students learn how to make musical choices, recognize shape and direction in melody, and build their creative courage as composers and performers. These cards can be used in pairs, small groups, or individual work, making them a flexible tool for composition, listening, or t
4th - 8th
Music, Music Composition, Vocal Music
Creative Music Task Cards
These rhythm activities focus on helping students master rhythmic patterns through a variety of fun and engaging exercises. Students use the provided rhythm cards to practice clapping patterns and can also create their own, reinforcing both rhythmic understanding and musical creativity. The included cards feature simple, clear rhythm patterns that are ideal for elementary and middle school music classes, making rhythm practice interactive, hands-on, and highly effective. This resource is perfec
3rd - 10th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Create Beats Task Cards: Rhythmic Development, Drum Ensemble and Composition
These rhythmic cards help students practice rhythm, create drumming ensemble patterns, and learn the basics of composing their own music. Perfect for hands-on rhythm work, ensemble activities, and creative composition exercises in elementary and middle school music classes.
2nd - 8th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Also included in: Rhythm Practice Bundle
Call and Response Task Cards - Series 1-4
Call and Response Task Cards Series 1-4 begin with simple rhythms to syncopated dotted rhythms. The task cards are interactive activities between two partners or groups. There are 2/4 and 4/4 meter task cards. The groups are unlimited as to how to use the various cards. One card can be concentrated or a compilation to make an ensemble arrangement.
Not Specific
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
132 Rhythmic Activity Cards for Elementary Music Class
These engaging rhythm activities bring movement, instruments, creativity, and teamwork into the classroom, helping students build strong rhythm skills while having fun. Designed to keep lessons interactive, they encourage active participation and ensure variety so students stay motivated and excited about music learning. Students will: Practice rhythm through movement games and body percussion.Explore beat and rhythm using classroom instruments.Create their own patterns and compositions to reinf
1st - 3rd
Instrumental Music, Music, Vocal Music
Also included in: Elementary Music Activities Bundle
Musical Alphabet Treble Clef Practice (Activities) - PowerPoint
Help students read treble clef notes quickly and accurately with this 38-page workbook designed to build strong note-reading and music literacy skills. Through clear instructions and progressive exercises, students practice finding, naming, and identifying notes on the treble staff to improve fluency and confidence. Perfect for piano, band, orchestra, choir, and general music classes, this workbook guides learners through essential drills that make reading treble clef simple and engaging. It’s i
3rd - 10th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Rhythm of the Week Activities | Kodály & Orff Inspired Practice Slides
Build rhythmic fluency and strengthen beat awareness with this comprehensive rhythm reading pack that combines Kodály syllables and numeric counting. Designed to help students understand rhythm through both aural and visual methods, this resource divides rhythmic practice into four progressive levels, making it ideal for elementary through middle school music classes. (56 pages) Students practice identifying:Clapping and counting rhythms Improve subdivision accuracySteady beat controlBuilding
PreK - 6th
Music, Music Composition, Vocal Music
Creative Writing Activity Cards
These printable creative writing activity cards can be used with students of various age groups to encourage imagination, storytelling, and engagement with different writing styles. Each card is designed to spark ideas and guide students through fun, thought-provoking prompts. Perfect for building creative and critical thinking skills, these cards work well in classrooms, writing workshops, or independent practice. A flexible resource for teachers looking to inspire young writers and make writi
4th - 12th
Creative Writing, Music
Social Emotional Learning in the Classroom:Trouble-Shooting Activity Task Cards
These Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Task Cards are designed for partner or group discussions to help students practice conflict resolution, emotional awareness, and positive communication. Packed with engaging activities, this resource provides a variety of ways to help students reflect, share, and problem-solve together. Partner discussion cards for building communication skillsJournaling prompts for reflection and resolutionActivities on emotional spikes, triggers, and self-regulationMood sc
5th - 12th
Classroom Community, School Counseling, Social Emotional Learning
Also included in: Social Emotional Learning Bundle
Kodály Activity Task Cards
100 Kodály-Inspired Rhythm Activity Task Cards – Drumming, Pop Ensembles & Rhythm Skills for Elementary & Middle School This set of 100 Kodály-based Activity Task Cards is designed to strengthen rhythm literacy, beat awareness, and ensemble skills in a fun, interactive way. Organized around five progressive rhythm activities, these cards are perfect for use in elementary and middle school music classrooms, small groups, centers, or full-class instruction. Students will build confidence in feelin
K - 3rd
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Also included in: Kodaly Bundle | Elementary General Music
Call and Response Cards-Level-4: Dotted Rhythms Syncopation-PowerPoint
Bring rhythmic energy and teamwork to your classroom with these Level 4 Call and Response Pattern Cards, featuring dotted rhythms and syncopated patterns for upper-elementary and middle-school music students. In this interactive activity, Partner/Group A performs the Call while Partner/Group B performs the Response, encouraging rhythmic dialogue, coordination, and listening skills. Students can use clapping, rhythm sticks, hand drums, or classroom percussion instruments to bring each rhythmic ex
4th - 10th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Also included in: Call and Response Task Cards - Series 1-4
Designing Music Through Creative Choices - Guide and Activity
This resource is a Creative Music Composition Guide and Activity Set designed to help students develop original musical ideas and compositions. At the start, students are introduced to two powerful creative thinking tools — the SCAMPER model and The Disney Creative Model — which guide them step-by-step through the process of designing unique musical phrases and compositions. The guide includes examples of how to structure music projects and provides composition templates at the end for students
6th - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Also included in: Developing Creative Thinking Bundle
Call and Response Cards Level 1 - PowerPoint
Introduce your students to rhythm performance and ensemble listening with this Level 1 set of Call and Response Pattern Cards, featuring quarter notes/rests, eighth notes/rests, and sixteenth notes in simple, easy-to-follow patterns. In this interactive activity, Partner/Group A performs the Call while Partner/Group B performs the Response, promoting teamwork, focus, and rhythmic accuracy. These patterns can be performed through clapping, rhythm sticks, hand drums, or classroom percussion instr
3rd - 12th
Instrumental Music, Music, Other (Performing Arts)
Also included in: Call and Response Task Cards - Series 1-4
Showing 1-20 of 32 results
About the store
Experience
I am a retired New York City Department of Education teacher with experience teaching music and general education for grades K–12. I taught a wide range of music courses including various instrumental music classes and general music. My teaching focuses on creativity, music composition, and student engagement, helping students develop musical skills while connecting music to other subjects.
I have also provided professional development workshops for educators in the New York City Department of Education and New Jersey. Through Vinci eLearn, I create classroom-tested music lessons, worksheets, and creative activities that help teachers save time and inspire students to explore music.
Teaching style
My teaching approach uses the Workshop Model, where students first observe and analyze musical concepts, then apply them through creative activities such as improvisation, composition, and arranging.
I emphasize differentiated instruction to support all learners and incorporate Dr. Carol Dweck’s Growth Mindset philosophy to encourage confidence, perseverance, and a positive “can-do” attitude.
I also integrate Design Thinking and Project-Based Learning (PBL), inspired by innovators like Thomas Edison, allowing students to experiment, collaborate, and develop original creative projects through music.
Awards & shining teacher moments
NYSSMA Music Adjudicator for New York State School Music Association Music Festivals. VH-1 Save the Music Band grant, Music and the Brain Keyboard lab and curriculum, and Little Kids Rock Guitars and curriculum.
My own education history
Los Angelos Film School, Bachelor in Music Production (July 2025)
Acuitus, Network Administration Certificate (2023)
Rutgers University, Doctorate in Music (2005)
New England Conservatory Graduate Performance Program (1997)
Florida State University, Masters in Multiple Woodwinds (1996)
University of Southern Mississippi, Bachelor in Saxophone Performance (1994)
Manhattan School of Music, Music Performance program (1990-1992)
Interlochen Arts Academy, High School Diploma (1990)
Additional biographical information
Retired Military Musician (Air Force & Army) awards: Commandant Award (Army School of Music), and two army medals, ARCOM and Meritorious Service Medal.
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