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Classroom Music Program
Junior School The development of musical skills and knowledge in General Music not only helps reinforce fundamental life skills such as movement, steady beat, and singing, but also helps students learn the basics of music reading, playing instruments in a group, and appreciating different aspects of music as a listener. General Music is compulsory for Grades ECP to 6 and occurs during the school day. The general music curriculum includes music reading, solfege fluency, playing on percussion and Orff pitched instruments, singing, recorder playing, and movement to music.
Senior School General music is a required course for students in Grades 7 and 8 who do not participate in another music ensemble. The year-long curriculum includes music reading, basic guitar skills, singing, solfege fluency, and basic instruction in Classical Indian Music. For students who would like to continue their classroom music learning, Music Theory is offered for grades 9-12 and AP music theory is offered for grades 11-12.
Ms. Kate Johnson
Kate Johnson teaches private piano lessons to Woodstock's junior school and senior school students and General Music to Grades ECP through 4. Kate is from the midwest United States and is in her second year of teaching at Woodstock. She graduated from St. Olaf College in Minnesota with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. Kate specializes in piano, voice, and choral instruction. She loves taking advantage of the beautiful hiking opportunities around Mussoorie.
Mr. Abraham Okie
Abe hails from Atlanta, GA, where he recieved degrees from GA Tech (B.S. Management) and Georgia State University (B.A. Choral Music Education). Before joining Woodstock, he was the Director of Arts & Worship at St. Paul's Presbyterian in Atlanta. He mostly plays guitar and sings, but also dabbles at other assorted instruments, and maintains an interest in world music and composition. At Woodstock, he will be directing the Advanced Choir and the Staff Choir, as well as teaching guitar, Grade 7-8 General Music, and AP Music Theory. He is thrilled to be in such a diverse, scenic and lively teaching environment!
Mrs. Bethany Okie
Bethany is in her first year at Woodstock and is teaching grade 5 & 6 General Music, voice and piano lessons, and Intermediate choir. She and her husband, Abe (also a music teacher here), hail from Atlanta, Georgia. Bethany has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shorter College and has spent the past seven years acting professionally in Atlanta and growing an active piano and voice studio
Mrs Heather Webb
Heather Webb teaches General Music in the Junior and Senior Schools (ECP through Grade 8). She is originally from Durham, North Carolina (USA). Heather earned a Master of Divinity from Campbell University (2011), a Master of Music from East Carolina University (2007), and a Bachelor of Music from Furman University (1996). Heather currently holds National Board Teaching Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music, as well as, a North Carolina Teaching License (Music K-12). She has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk Certification. In addition to teaching music for eleven years in North Carolina, she has served as a children's minister and as an advisor to international students at Campbell University. In her free time, Heather enjoys writing, studying Hindi, singing, composing, and volunteering.