Fine Arts
| Fine Arts Department: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Kelly Smith-Price | Art Teacher | ksmith-price@mcps.org |
| Rachel Colby | Band Teacher | rachelcolby@mcps.org |
Education:
M.M. in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Reno
B.M. in Music Education from Radford University
Personal Bio:
I have been a band geek since I was little. Watching my older brother play flute in middle and high school inspired me to pick up the clarinet in 6th grade. I was given a saxophone while in high school in Northern Virginia and never looked back. I chose to go to Radford University for their Music Education program and was afforded so many opportunities to perform (toured Ireland with the RU Wind Ensemble), learn (attended multiple international, national, and state level music educator conferences), and advocate (was a collegiate representative to advocate the importance of music in public schools and universities to state legislators). After graduating from Radford, I taught General Music, Band, and Choir for Covington City Schools, now Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. I taught Early Childhood Music (3yos) all the way up to 7th grade while also serving as Assistant Band Director to the local high school. While I was there, I learned the importance of music education for Title I schools and students living in rural communities. It was painful to say goodbye to my students but moving to Reno was an exciting journey. During my time at UNR, I served as Assistant Band Director at Fernley High School, was staff and performed for the debut of the Northern Nevada Youth Pride Band, and presented my research on neurodiversity in music education at an international music conference in Canada. Applying and accepting the Band Director position here at East Mont meant I got to come home. My fiance and I packed up our house, cat, and two bunnies and moved back to Montgomery County. We are so happy to be back in the NRV! Let's go Mustangs!
Roles at EMHS:
Director of Bands
M.M. in Music Education from the University of Nevada, Reno
B.M. in Music Education from Radford University
Personal Bio:
I have been a band geek since I was little. Watching my older brother play flute in middle and high school inspired me to pick up the clarinet in 6th grade. I was given a saxophone while in high school in Northern Virginia and never looked back. I chose to go to Radford University for their Music Education program and was afforded so many opportunities to perform (toured Ireland with the RU Wind Ensemble), learn (attended multiple international, national, and state level music educator conferences), and advocate (was a collegiate representative to advocate the importance of music in public schools and universities to state legislators). After graduating from Radford, I taught General Music, Band, and Choir for Covington City Schools, now Alleghany Highlands Public Schools. I taught Early Childhood Music (3yos) all the way up to 7th grade while also serving as Assistant Band Director to the local high school. While I was there, I learned the importance of music education for Title I schools and students living in rural communities. It was painful to say goodbye to my students but moving to Reno was an exciting journey. During my time at UNR, I served as Assistant Band Director at Fernley High School, was staff and performed for the debut of the Northern Nevada Youth Pride Band, and presented my research on neurodiversity in music education at an international music conference in Canada. Applying and accepting the Band Director position here at East Mont meant I got to come home. My fiance and I packed up our house, cat, and two bunnies and moved back to Montgomery County. We are so happy to be back in the NRV! Let's go Mustangs!
Roles at EMHS:
Director of Bands
Piano Instructor
Guitar Instructor
Classes Taught:
Beginning Band
Classes Taught:
Beginning Band
Intermediate Band
Advanced Band
Piano Lab
Guitar Lab
Hobbies and Interests:
Dungeons and Dragons, video games (Nintendo), cooking, and arranging music.
Personal Statement:
"If you're going to do it, do it with Gusto!"