Private Lessons Teacher
Feb. 2024 - Present: Mia works at Bach to Rock giving private saxophone and piano lessons to beginner-level students of all ages. She uses both standard and contemporary repertoire to teach playing fundamentals and music theory concepts. As a teacher, she helps students prepare music for individual musical development, performance showcases, and school music events.
Teaching Fellow
July 2023 & 2024: Mia served as a teaching fellow at the Butler Community Arts School Jazz Camp, helping students with basic playing fundamentals, improvisation, and ensemble playing in several different settings: masterclasses, combos, and large ensembles. She also had the privilege of co-directing and rehearsing big bands with her classmates, Nate Peck and Olander Porter, in preparation for an end-of-week concert. In addition, she served as an arranger to create music to fit the needs of the large ensembles.
Ensemble Instructor
Fall 2024: With supervision from Professor Kent Hickey and Dr. Matthew Pivec, Mia worked as an instructor in Butler's Youth Jazz Program. She led a combo comprised of middle school and high school students, teaching beginning improvisation skills, as well as stylistic techniques in jazz. Students also learned about significant characteristics and influential figures surrounding the different subgenres of jazz.
Noblesville Intern
Jan. 2024 - Apr. 2024: Mia worked at Noblesville West Middle School as an intern in the music classrooms of Mr. Stacey White and Mrs. Leslie Wales. She worked with woodwind, brass, and percussion students in sectionals on playing fundamentals as well as concert preparation. She also aided in rehearsing chamber and solo repertoire for ISSMA Solo and Ensemble.
Spring Mill Intern
Aug. 2023 - Nov. 2023: Mia worked with Jordyn Locke to help teach musical concepts to 1st graders in a general music class at Spring Mill Elementary School. She created lesson plans and led activities in the classroom like singing, playing instruments, and dances.
Charger Marching Band
Marching and Music Tech
June 2022 - Aug. 2023: Mia helped teach marching and music fundamentals to Hamilton High School's 9th-12th graders through weekly basics sessions. She also worked as a coach for the front ensemble during the two-week band camp, creating and running warm-ups, rehearsing music, and directing sectionals.
Summer Opportunities Teaching Assistant
Summers of 2022 and 2023: As a TA for the Sussex Hamilton Summer Opportunities program, Mia helped in two different classrooms with six classes of eager 1st-6th graders. Activities including instructing and assisting in making various crafts, supervising the classroom and shuttle buses, and ensuring a summer full of fun for students.
Center Grove Saxophone Instructor
November 2022 - May 2023: Mia led bi-weekly sectionals with Center Grove Middle School North's 6th and 7th grade saxophones, working closely with band director Mr. JJ Peil. Her role consisted of running warm-ups, teaching basic playing fundamentals, and rehearsing concert music.
IWC Teacher
September - November 2022: Mia helped teach US citizenship classes to immigrants through the local Immigrant Welcome Center. She worked with a team of Butler students to help adult students study for the US citizenship test. Tasks included creating and designing lesson plans and review resources.