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Joyce Piano Faculty, Hill Elementary After School Piano Teacher Joyce began her musical career singing and playing in her church. From her mid-teens throughout college, she was pianist at First Baptist Church in Georgetown. She graduated from Southwestern University with a Bachelor of Music Education with a minor in piano. Joyce holds an all-level (K-12) teaching certification from the state of Texas and taught 27 years in public schools, most of that time as an elementary music specialist at Ortega and Brentwood Elementary schools in Austin. As part of a grant writing team for Ortega Elementary, she helped secure over $780,000 for implementation of school wide restructuring to benefit disadvantaged children. With the help of Capital Music Center, Joyce established and taught an after school piano lab for her students. The program was very successful and Joyce's articles were featured and published in the Music Educators National Journal, Computer Educator, Teaching Music, and state Music Educators magazine, Connections. She has presented training at national and state music education conferences, as well as local teacher training. She has received many honors and awards, including being named as a Smithsonian-National Faculty Scholar. Joyce plays hand bells and sings in her church choir. A high point was singing at the White House during the Christmas season last year. Being involved with children and music is the joy of her teaching career. The personal teacher-child relationship, enhanced by parental involvement sets the tone for student achievement. The music technology enhances the learning process and makes practicing fun! The class lessons encourage children to excel. Music is an essential part of a complete education. These two quotes beautifully express my philosophy of music education: "No man is complete without a feeling for music and an understanding of what it can do for him." Zoltan Kodaly "Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents." Beethoven Here’s what Joyce’s students have to say about her: “We feel that Claire is learning a lot with Joyce. The lessons are really well structured with music and theory. Claire puts the rhythms in place with Music Tutor.” - Marylene P, mother of Claire “My daughter loves the lessons and we're pleased with how much she enjoys attending her lessons AND practicing. Joyce has been very nice. My daughter likes her and she praises the kids all the time. We're happy with how much she's learning.” Julia & Evan, parents of Marisa