Lyndsay Burke

120 N State Street

Apartment #3
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(248) 880-0328
lyndsbur@umich.edu
March 29, 2017

Ann Arbor Public Schools

2555 South State St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104

To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my interest in the vocal music teaching positions currently open
in the Ann Arbor Public School District. I am in my fifth year at the University of Michigan and
will be graduating at the end of April with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and K-12
teaching certification. This semester, I am doing my student teaching within the Ann Arbor
Public Schools and have been able to see first hand what an outstanding district this is. I began
my student teaching this year with Steve Lorenz at Pioneer High School and I am now at Bach
Elementary School working with Kristi Bishop. At each school, the students, teachers, and
administrators were so welcoming and I experienced the environment and culture of respect,
community, and excellence that I would be honored to contribute to.
In my time at The University of Michigan, I had many valuable teaching experiences, but
my time as manager for the Michigan Youth Ensemble Womens Chorale displays my experience
-----???. In this position, I was able to work with Dr. Julie Skadsem to help rehearse and conduct
this advanced high school ensemble for two semesters. I practiced and grew my teaching and
conducting skills with the guidance of Dr. Skadsem and was also able to utilize my
administrative and organizational skills while managing the choir. This cumulative experience of
leading music making while also having to navigate administrative duties prepared me for the
many responsibilities of running a comprehensive music program.
My experience teaching at School of Rock Ann Arbor has also prepared me to be an
excellent candidate. At School of Rock, I teach voice and piano lessons to students of all ages
and help lead group band rehearsals. I am able to teach students music lessons, music theory, and
music history, but by using rock and popular songs. I also lead group classes each week where
the students get to apply what they have learned in their lessons in a band rehearsal. Students
must be independent in their parts but also work together to recreate the songs. In these groups,
the students ages and experience levels vary greatly, but my main goal is making sure every
student is able to participate in some way and has successes each lesson and rehearsal as they
grow on their instrument and in the musicianship. Although this school is an alternative way of
going about teaching music, it has taught me how to teach a music curriculum and music lessons
in a variety of ways to reach different learners and to students who are engaged by different types
of music.
Ann Arbor Public School District is a place where I believe my skills and passion for
music would fit well with the community, schools, and students. My main goal as a music
educator is to share my knowledge and passion for music, so my students continuing singing and
making music when they leave my classroom, even if that just means singing in the shower. I
would be delighted to further discuss this position at your convenience. Thank you for your
consideration.
Best,

Lyndsay Burke