By Kyla Perry
Music In Our Schools Month began as a single Advocacy Day and celebration in New York on March 14, 1973. Now, Music Programs across the state and country celebrate having Music Education in our Public Schools all month long.
This year, the theme is “United in Music.” The South Seneca Music Department would like to highlight some alumni this month.
Madelyn “Maddy” Houck graduated from South Seneca in 2019. Maddy is currently the Pre-K through 4th Grade General Music Teacher at Watkins Glen Elementary School. After graduating from South Seneca, Maddy attended Nazareth College in Rochester, NY to earn a Bachelor of Music Education degree.
Maddy was deeply involved with the Music Program at South Seneca during her tenure as a student. She was in the High School Band, High School Chorus, Jazz Band, and Vocal Jazz. She played in Drumline, Marching Band, sang in the Musicals, and is currently the Vocal Director of “The Wizard of Oz” at South Seneca. Maddy loved her time as a music student at South Seneca. “I especially enjoyed working on group projects for Vocal Jazz, performing Frankenstein with Drumline in 9th grade, and singing The Awakening by Joseph Martin.”
Maddy says, “All of the music teachers I had at South Seneca (Diane Dersch, Becky Davis, Kyla Perry, and Raymond Zajac) were incredibly inspiring in my journey to becoming a music educator. Their passion and dedication to fostering a love of music were palpable. They exposed me to many different styles of music and taught me how to be a successful musician. I think of those teachers and their impact often, sprinkling pieces of them into each of my lessons.”
To current music students at South Seneca, she advises, “Allow yourself to be present in the music. There will always be distractions and fear of being vulnerable, but when you let those things go and are fully present in making music, it is magical. Those are the moments you will hold on to for the rest of your life.”
Thank you, Maddy, for choosing to educate our youngest musicians with passion, and thank you for all your time and devotion to our music program while a student at South Seneca. Your alma mater is proud of you!