Meet the Teachers of VCMA
Joelle Butler
Music & Me
Drama
About the Teacher:
Joelle currently teaches music to K-5 at Foothills Christian School. She also volunteers at BEHS as well as her church in their drama departments.
Drama at Burlington Edison High School:
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Assistant Director: Clue - Sep - 2022 - Dec - 2022
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Assistant Director: Godspell - Jan 2020 - Mar 2020
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Character Coach: Shrek The Musical - Sep 2019 - Dec 2019
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Stage Manager: Fiddler on the Roof - Jan 2019 - Mar 2019
Teaching & Music:
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Music Teacher at Foothills Christian School (Current)
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Substitute at Foothills Christian School and Mount Vernon Christian School (Current)
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3/4 Grade teacher for a homeschool coop (September 2021-June 2022)
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Substitute for Anacortes, Mount Vernon, and Burlington Edison School Districts (February 2020-September 2021)
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Youth Worship Director at CTK Skagit - September 2017 - September 2019
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Substitute, lead teacher for baby room and elementary age room at Skagit Valley Early Learning Center (July 2015-March 2021)
Ms. Butler began teaching at Valley Christian Music in January 2023.
Becky Hedman
Choir
Beginning Guitar - Guitar 2
Rhythm Roundup
Beginning Keyboard & Music Theory
About the Teacher:
I grew up surrounded by music - both parents were professional musicians and teachers, so my
siblings and I sang and played instruments from a young age. After high school, math and science interests led me to study engineering for three years before switching my major. I earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Oregon School of Music, K-12 WA State certification in Choral and General Music, Kodaly Level 1 certification, and National Certification in Piano.
I've enjoyed working with children's choirs and musical drama productions at church for many years and have taught piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, voice and music theory for more than 30 years here in Skagit Valley.
I have a passion to help young people discover and develop their
gifts and use them for the Lord! In my free time I like to garden, sew, hike, research, and spend
time with family.
Mrs. Hedman began teaching at Valley Christian Music in January 2023.
Julia Nelson
Recorder for Ages 8-9
About the Teacher:
A homeschool student herself, she has been a music program homeschool student since she was young. She graduates from High School in May 2024.
She plays many instruments, but especially loves to play flute, guitar and cello.
Julia is on the weekly worship team of Inspire Youth Group (since Sept 2023) and is on the worship team at Inspire Sedro on a monthly basis. She also spent a year on the LaConner Inspire Worship Team.
Julia has taught recorder at VCMA since January 2023 and officially became a VCMA teacher January 2024.
Malcolm Peterson
Beginning Band - Beyond Beginning Band
About the Teacher:
Sharyn Peterson
Beginning Strings - Beyond Beginning Strings
About the Teacher:
I. YOUTH SYMPHONY DIRECTOR EXPERIENCE
A. Conducting:
28 Years Fidalgo Youth Symphony
30 Years Mount Baker Youth Symphony
2 Years Cascade Youth Symphony Sinfonette
ACSI Convention Orchestra
North Stars Orchestra: 5 summer Europe and 2 China Concert tours
North Stars Orchestra Nordic Concert -2024 and 2019 -Seattle
27 Years Sounds of Summer Festival Camp
B. Coaching:
Five Years- Cascade Youth Symphony First Violin Coach
30 Years Mount Baker Youth Symphony First Violin Coach
28 Years Fidalgo Youth Symphony First Violin Coach
26 Years Sounds of Summer Festival Camp Violin Coach
II. Public School Teaching Experience
Seattle Pacific University String Education Classes
Western Washington University Violin/Viola Instructor
Skagit Valley College Violin/Viola Instructor
Sehome Orchestra
Shuksan MS String Classes
Kulshan MS String Classes
SJMEA Adjudicator
III. Private School Teaching Experience
Mt. Vernon Christian School Choir
2 years Cedar Park School Strings -Kirkland
5 years North Seattle Christian School Strings
2 years Grace Academy Strings-Marysville
Bellingham Christian School Strings
Whatcom Hills Waldorf School Strings grades 4-8 (5 years)
Greenwood Tree Co-operative School Strings
IV. Homeschool Co-op Teaching Experience
Skagit Family Learning Center String Classes -Mt. Vernon 8 years
V. Professional Concerts Organized and Conducted
Starry Night Orchestra-Meydenbauer Hall Masterworks Concert-Bellevue, 2015, 2024
Starry Night Chamber Orchestra-18 Theatre Productions Lincoln Theatre, McIntyre Hall
Starry Night Chamber Orchestra -Snohomish Concerto Competition Finale ConcertsEverett
Starry Night Orchestra- Benaroya Hall Chinese Compositions Concertorganizer/agentVI. Concertmaster Engagements
Starry Night Chamber Orchestra-Lynden Choral Society 8 years Soloist and
Concertmaster
Karin Stevens Dance Troupe Performances-Seattle
Starry Night Chamber Orchestra-Nutcracker Ballet-Bellingham
Grace Experimental Orchestra-Seattle
NW Community Chorale-many decades- Handel’s Messiah Concertmaster/soloist
Cascade Cantabile Choir
Skagit Opera
Pacific NW Opera
Starry Night Chamber Players- Concerts - Lincoln Theatre 1995-2020 2-3 per yr
Starry Night Chamber Players Chamber Music Series (2)-McIntyre Hall 2022-2023
VII. Solo Appearances
Orchestra Seattle-Brahms Violin Concerto
Rainier Symphony- Brahms Violin Concerto
Thalia Symphony-Brahms Double Concerto
Seattle Philharmonic-Sibelius Concerto
Skagit Symphony-Mendelssohn Concerto
Whatcom Symphony-Sibelius Concerto
Thalia Symphony-Sibelius Concerto
Gig Harbor Symphony-Mendelssohn Concerto
Port Angeles Symphony-Mendelssohn Concerto
UW Symphony – Chausson Poeme, Beethoven Violin Concerto
US Premier of Fang Li’s “Awakening the Lion” Violin Concerto, Benaroya Hall
VIII. Professional Orchestra Engagements
7 Years Federal Way Symphony First Violin Section
IX. Training
Bachelor’s Degree Fine Arts – University of Washington
Master’s Degree Violin/Viola Performance and Pedagogy
Asuza Pacific Conducting Seminars with Dr. Gary Bonner
UW Conducting Classes with Vilem Sokol
5 years private Violin instruction Emanuel Zetlin
5 years Vocal Training at UW-Edison Harris, Rodney Eichenberger
7 years Highline Youth Symphony Violin
Vocal Intensive Sessions with Paul Ingham
Contemporary Group String Quartet University of Washington winner 2nd and 1st
prizes, Coleman International Chamber Music Competition, (and many
contemporary concerts with professional staff member of the UW School of Music)
Magic Mountain Music Farm Practice Marathon with Violinist Burton Kaplan-New York
Tanglewood Music Festival, performing under the batons of Seiji Ozawa, Leonard
Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas