About the job and how it came to me

So, you may know that I've spent the past few months job searching, spending hours filling out applications that involved tests, essay questions, etc etc.....


A few weeks back one of my professors sent me an email saying a colleague had an open position at an awesome school in Beijing....so I emailed my resume. After a few emails back and forth, I got an interview, and then a second....and then a job offer. I like to believe that life is a mix of working hard, and going with the flow....and when things fall into place easily, it's usually a good sign.


Anyway, about the job:


I will be teaching 6-12 (7-13 in the British system) general music during the school day, following the British/IB curriculum, but with a lot of room for creative license and new ideas. I will also be directing extra-curricular ensembles, from jazz band/combos, to wind ensemble and chamber groups, to, and I quote: "Whatever you and the students want- we have the budget and we want to make great musical opportunities". Seriously? Do you even know how amazing that kind of creative freedom is? In Princeton I was ALWAYS hitting red tape and hearing NO! And now, for the next 2 years (it's a two year contract) it sounds as though I'll be in a supportive, creative musical community, where the sky is the limit. AMAZING.


AND, the head of music for all 7 Dulwich schools (because there are 7 in the network, and they are all over the world) also did his Master's at Northwestern (the 4 summer program) and has essentially the same musical and educational philosophy as I do.....which means I'm going into a network of teachers who will share my philosophy and are excited about promoting creativity and expression through the arts, in a student centered way. Boom! They are also very big into technology. Every student and teacher gets a MacBook and we are encouraged to use technology in instruction, and it seems, given the tools to implement as well. I have so many fun project ideas running through my head right now!

Honestly, it sounds like an amazing educational environment, and a supportive, creative community. The music director actually said: "All of those "best of" scenariors you talk about in classes at NU? A lot of that is happening here. Ask your professors, they came to visit, they'll tell you.". Um. What? I mean, I'm not sure what else to say. But I'm excited.




At the moment, I have to go to a dinner with said professors, and then I'm off to dance- but I will write more next time on the other parts of my contract.