March 28, 2020

To Whom it May Concern,

I have known and worked with Montana Hollis in several different capacities; as a student and drum major in high
school band, as a woodwind instructor at Firestone High School, and as a band office worker at Kent State University.
Montana and I have had regular interaction for the past six years, on almost a daily basis. During these times, she has
always been consistent, compassionate, and reliable regardless of the situation or circumstances. Montana has proven to be
not only an invaluable member of the groups in which she is a part of, but also a positive role model for all those associated
with her. She has tremendous ability to build an outstanding rapport with the students, her peers, and her superiors/
colleagues. 

Both as a student and as a teacher, she is a very driven individual, and has worked in that manner for all of the time I
have known her. Her sense of responsibility and maturity is impeccable. There is not any task that I would hesitate to
depend on Montana to accomplish. With strong professional conviction, she has taken on professional leadership roles in
her life and risen to occasion for each one of them. She has stood out at the top of her game in high school and college,
modeling outstanding musicianship and leadership for other young teachers, and making positive contributions with service
to local and national professional organizations. 

Over the past few years I have also watched Montana reach out to her friends and students to support them both
personally and professionally as much as is needed. These traits of compassion and care, combined with her energetic
personality give Montana maturity beyond her years. She is a team player, and works well as a member of a staff of other
adults. Additionally, she is easily able to take an idea and run with it, melding it to be useful in a variety of rehearsal and
non-rehearsal settings, and is able to contribute effectively to the team planning with visions for the ensembles that she is
involved with. 

As a new teacher, Montana has already worked diligently to provide herself with experiences that will positively
contribute to her education and further her growth as a teacher. You will see in her resume that she brings to the table a
multitude of experiences. Volunteering at Music for All events, presenting sessions at the Ohio Music Educators
Professional Conference, serving on the OCMEA State Board, teaching woodwinds in small and large groups for local high
schools, and working as a part of the tour staff for the Phantom Regiment are just a few of the things that Montana has done
to ensure her own growth and development as a music educator. 

Montana is a strong candidate for any position in which she is applying. I believe she is an asset to any program or
organization of which she is a part. I personally have hired her for positions working in my own programs, and would do so
again without hesitation should the opportunity arise. I would be trilled to discuss this further if you have any additional
questions.

Thank you for your consideration,


Kate Ferguson, PhD

Interim Director of Athletic Bands, Kent State University 

fergusonkate@me.com

330.573.7250