Getting to Know California State University, Northridge's Collegiate NAfME Chapter

Getting to Know

California State University, Northridge’s Collegiate NAfME Chapter

by Anne Fennell, CMEA President-Elect

Brandon Villón

President

Abiah Padua

Vice-President

Emily Gregg

Secretary

Roman Hernandez

Treasurer

Caitlin Cooper

Historian

Dr. John Whitener

Chapter Advisor

CSUN’s Collegiate Chapter is guided by Advisor Dr. John Whitener who is the Music Education Area Coordinator and an Associate Professor of Music Education at Cal State Northridge. Click on the movie below to learn more about Dr. Whitener and the collegiate chapter.

Now that you know a little more about this wonderful chapter, continue on to read a few of their thoughts as well as watch and listen to these inspiring, future music educators.

Getting to know Brandon Villón, President

How does/will the CSUN NAfME Collegiate Chapter help you achieve your goal to become a music educator?

Our NAfME Chapter at CSUN helps me achieve my goal to be a music educator by showing me the perspectives of many different educators through our professional development clinics. At

these clinics, our speakers give invaluable advice about succeeding as a teacher (such as classroom management, professionalism, understanding student demographics, etc.). These clinics and our guest speakers help us prepare for situations in our future careers that we otherwise would not have expected. We are extremely thankful for the knowledge they share with us! - Brandon Villón,

President

The CSUN NAfME Collegiate Chapter is helping me work towards becoming a music educator in so many ways. First of all, it provides incredible networking. We have members interested in becoming ensemble directors and general music teachers. In our membership, we have wind players, string players, percussionists, vocalists, and jazz students. If I have a question about anything music related now or once I am in the field, I know exactly who I can ask. Additionally, CSUN NAfME provides great volunteer and teaching opportunities. I know that the transition from student to teacher is not an easy one. Through the experience I have been able to gain, I am confident that my involvement in CSUN NAfME will make this transition a bit easier for me. Lastly, CSUN NAfME provides a forum to learn about and discuss important topics in music education with incredible guest speakers. In the fall semester alone we have had guest speakers talk about navigating the transition from student to teacher, teaching in a Title I school, and helping students manage performance anxiety. The topics we encounter in CSUN NAfME are so important for collegiate music education students to know about and they have greatly augmented my collegiate music education. Through my involvement in CSUN NAfME, I have become a more well-rounded musician and preprofessional educator. Without a doubt, this has made me more confident about entering the music education profession. - Caitlin

Cooper, Historian

CSUN NAfME helps me achieve my goals through their educational clinics and volunteer opportunities. Through CSUN NAfME not only have I learned what I didn’t even know I didn’t know, but I also have the lovely opportunity of building connections with my colleagues. It’s been amazing watching my peers blossom into the fantastic soon-to-be music educators they are now. - Abiah Padua, Vice President

The CSUN NAfME Collegiate Chapter has helped me these past years by giving me opportunities to expand my knowledge and get more involved in the music education community. There have been many clinics (both in person and online) that have helped me add teaching tips and very useful tools to my teaching arsenal, which help me feel more prepared for public school teaching.

- Roman Hernandez, Treasurer

Getting to know Abiah Padua, Vice President What is one of the projects you have done as a member that has made an impact on you as an aspiring music educator? What and why?

The project that has had the most impact on me as an aspiring music educator is the club’s partnership with Catherine Cooper. Mrs. Cooper is an elementary school music teacher in the Sanger Unified School District. Her passion for teaching elementary general music really inspired me to look into teaching younger children which has definitely become an interest of mine. She also introduced me to the Orff-Schulwerk method which I absolutely loved and hope to incorporate into my own teaching. - Emily

Gregg, Secretary

Earlier this semester, educators from one of the local high schools near our campus spoke to our membership about what it is like to teach at a Title I School. This particular clinic was very powerful to me because the students at this school all come from disadvantaged communities. Despite the obstacles they faced, they were able to build a very successful music program with hundreds of students through sheer work ethic and a very strong sense of community. Overcoming these struggles to build something that they took pride in was extremely inspiring, and it not only reminded me of my own personal struggles, but it also reminded me of why I chose to become an educator - to help others build things that give them pride. - Brandon Villón, President

Getting to know Emily Gregg, Secretary

Why do you like being on the board of the CSUN NAfME Collegiate Chapter and why did you take on this role?

This is my second year being Treasurer on the CSUN NAfME Collegiate board, and I enjoy being on it because I love being part of a like minded team that keeps improving and providing for other people. I decided to take on this role because I wanted to be immersed in the community and I felt that I had something good to offer for our Collegiate NAfME Chapter. I love to put in the work for the betterment of the club and it’s been an honor to serve on the CSUN NAfME Collegiate board. - Roman Hernandez, Treasurer

I love being on the board of the CSUN NAfME Collegiate Chapter because it has helped me grow not only as a musician, but as a person as well. In addition, it's given me the opportunity to sharpen my organization and communication skills. I took on the role as Vice President because I believe I am equipped to help lead our organization and bring a different perspective to the table. -

Abiah Padua, Vice President

What is your greatest hope for the future of music education?

Music education for all! I would love to see music be more accessible to everyone. I think that’s definitely the trend, however I believe there are huge disparities in the quality of music education based on location, income, as well as myriad other factors. - Emily

Gregg, Secretary

If you could change one thing about music education, what would it be?

A comprehensive music education would be offered for all students at all grade levels. All too often, music is not offered to younger students. A lot of students have to wait until middle school or even high school to have the option of taking a music class. If I could change one thing about music education, a wide array of musical opportunities would exist for elementary school students in every school district and these opportunities would continue throughout middle and high school. - Caitlin Cooper, Historian

Getting to know Caitlin Cooper, Historian

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What are you looking forward to once you graduate with your music education degree?

As a full-fledged educator, I am most excited to help students find a passion and a sense of belonging through music. When growing students are able to find a safe place to be themselves and bond with others, they mature, build valuable life skills, and become very strong and compassionate individuals. Even as a new educator, helping students become a positive influence in their communities is what I look forward to most! - Brandon Villón,

President

I am most looking forward to taking classes and teaching in the credential program. Getting my degree will be a giant step towards my goal of being a music educator in public school, but I am excited to keep learning and gaining knowledge before I am the one who students will go to for answers! - Roman Hernandez,

Treasurer

Once I graduate with my music education (and trombone performance) degree and earn my teaching credential, I am so excited to get out in the field and share music with students! My dream is to be a middle school band director, but the most important thing to me is that I get to teach music! - Caitlin

Cooper, Historian

Once I graduate with my music education degree, I plan on working towards my credentials! It’ll be a giant step towards my music education career and I’m looking forward to the knowledge and experience I’ll acquire. - Abiah Padua, Vice President

Teaching!! That sounds silly, but I really am excited to get out into the workforce and begin teaching. I can’t wait to have my own music program and start sharing my passion for music with my students. - Emily Gregg, Secretary