Hillyn Natter
Chester,CT
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated educational leader with over 20 years of experience in arts instruction and team leadership, committed to fostering innovative and inclusive arts education for PreK–12 students. Currently pursuing 092 Certification in Connecticut as an Intermediate Administrator, expected to be completed in April 2026 through Quinnipiac University. Recognized for the ability to inspire students and educators, creating a collaborative environment that champions creativity, community, and collaboration in learning. Passionate about empowering the next generation of artists and thinkers through engaging educational and artistic experiences that cultivate creativity and critical thinking skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certificate
Work History
Enrichment Director/Team Lead/Music Teacher
Edgewood STEAM Magnet School
New Haven, CT
05.2022 - Current
- Facilitated communication with superintendent, principal, and assistant principal to ensure compliance with district, state, local, and federal laws and regulations.
- Nurtured an atmosphere of trust and safety, empowering students to take academic risks and enhance their development in the ensemble.
- Coordinated and managed parent outreach through email, phone calls, and Google Meets to ensure timely updates and support.
- Participant in “The Anti-Racist Teachers Institute”
- Conducted restorative practices to address conflicts and encourage accountability among participants.
- Revitalized band and choir program through strategic recruitment and curriculum development.
- Achieved cohesive curriculum development for grades K-8 through effective leadership of unified arts department. Fostered open communication between team and administration to address concerns promptly.
- TEAM Mentor
- Established and maintained relationships with Southern Connecticut State University to support student field experience initiatives.
- Managed program operations and team collaboration for the successful implementation of the 'Echo' enrichment program.
- Led initiatives with administration staff and community partners to design advanced thinking programs for 425 students. Oversaw program logistics and facilitated clear communication among staff and students.
- Orchestrated logistics for guest artist program, including marketing strategies, artist scheduling, and final performance arrangements.
- Engaged with Yale's Music in Our Schools initiative to promote access to quality music education.
- Facilitated hiring and coordination of specialized clinicians to enhance musical instruction for jazz band, concert band, and choir.
- Orchestrated logistics and promotional activities for five fundraising events each year, supporting music department initiatives.
- Oversaw strategic planning and execution of music program budget and inventory management, ensuring alignment with institutional timelines and guidelines for annual budget submissions to principal.
- Oversaw supply and material requisition for ensemble and general music initiatives, adhering to established district guidelines and financial limits.
- Coordinated logistics and training sessions to ensure concert band and choir excellence in competitive settings.
- Ensured compliance with licensing requirements and maintained necessary training hours.
- Facilitated effective classroom management for large groups of students to promote engagement and participation.
- Authored and submitted grant applications to secure funding opportunities.
- Musical Pit Director
- Cultivated students' proficiency in playing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
- Achieved improved student comprehension through daily evaluations and prompt feedback. Enhanced lesson effectiveness by adapting content based on student needs. Fostered an environment conducive to continuous learning and growth.
- Developed and delivered daily lessons that incorporate a diverse and socially conscious repertoire, fostering inclusivity and awareness among students.
- Created and executed a digital recording component aimed at enriching educational experiences in middle school curriculum.
- Managed logistics and curated performances for two major concerts each year.
- Participated in community ensemble events to enhance cultural outreach.
- Exhibited strong personal responsibility to drive project success and team collaboration.
Private and Ensemble Music Instruction
Face Arts School of Music
Deep River, CT
01.2003 - Current
- Instruct students in music theory, technique, harmony, sight-reading, and music appreciation. Sing and play instruments to demonstrate rhythms, tone, and technique. Instruct ensembles, work on individual parts while guiding students through the process of listening and playing in a group. Write music charts for individuals and ensembles. Facilitate and accompany student recitals and ensemble performances. Build confidence in music playing and performing. Facilitate and Design Summer Music Camp Program
- Coordinated logistics for events, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to timelines.
- Analyzed event performance data to inform strategic decisions and optimize future programming efforts.
Haddam-Killingworth High School
08.2020 - 01.2021
- Communicate with Superintendent, Principal and Assistant Principal to Comply with applicable District, state, local and federal laws, rules and regulations, in particular following Covid Protocols to maintain a safe and healthy classroom
- Developed positive and trusting relationships with students, that allow students to feel safe and supported in taking academic risks toward growth in the ensemble.
- Initiate parent communication through email, phone calls, and Google Meets
- Prepare students for CMEA auditions and festival
- Prepare students for All-State Audition and Festival
- Organize and hired content specific clinicians for Jazz Band and Concert Band
- Designed and coordinated a high school to middle band mentorship program with Middle School Band Director
- Work with the Middle School Band Director to coordinate/edit a High School and Middle School Virtual Concert Band Video Collaboration.
- Work closely with the Fine Arts Department and my immediate colleagues weekly
- Design Jazz Band Honors Curriculum
- Design Concert Band Honors Curriculum
- Design Piano Curriculum
- Design Intro to Guitar Curriculum
- Prepare Jazz Band for Competition
- Maintain appropriate licenses and training hours as required.
- Effectively manage large classes of students.
- Write and submit Grant Applications
- Maintain Music Department Social Media Presence
- Organize and maintain a large inventory of equipment (hundreds of items worth several hundred thousand dollars).
- Organize and maintain a large inventory of instructional materials and music library.
- Submits budget needs annually to the principal in accordance with established timelines and guidelines
- Order all supplies and materials necessary for band-related activities in accordance with established district procedures and budget allocations.
- Musical Pit Director
- Use Google Classroom and Google Meets to implement rehearsals and daily lessons during the “hybrid model” of instruction
- Develop students’ technique for playing brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments
- Implement tools for engagement during virtual instruction, i.e using breakout rooms, Blooket, play-along recordings, and Meet chat features.
- Assessed student understanding daily, provide immediate feedback and adjust lessons to maximize growth
- Program diverse and socially conscious repertoire
- Use Adobe Premiere to edit a Virtual Jazz Band and Chamber Music Concert
- Rehearse student accompanists for Chorus concert.
- Graduation Performance preparation
- Coordinate and program two large concerts
Haddam-Killingworth Intermediate and Middle School
08.2019 - 01.2020
- Designed and rolled out the new Intermediate School Grade 4 and Grade 5 Instrumental and Choral Program
- Communicated weekly with Principal to update and improve the program
- Surveyed Parent Data for program improvement
- Coordinated and organized the HKIS “Pull-Out” Small Group Instruction schedule with Guidance, Special Education and Classroom teachers
- Organized “Instrument Petting Zoo” Event and Parent Meet and Greet
- Designed weekly Small Group Instruction lesson plans for teachers throughout the district.
- Organized and Coordinated off-campus Events
- Use Google Classroom to prepare students for lesson objectives
- Assessed student growth through formative and summative assessments
- Arrange and compose music for classes tailored to level and interests
- Rehearse students and organize 6 formal concerts a year Grades 4-8
- Initiate parent communication through email and phone calls
- General Music Grade 4 “Music in America”
- General Music Grade 5 “Music Around the World”
- General Music Grade 7 “Music Appreciation/Guitar/Piano”
- General Music Grade 8 “World Music Drumming”
- Co-teacher Grade 8 and Grade 6 Band
- Grade 8 and Grade 6 , Grade 4 and Grade 5 Instrumental Lesson teacher
- Organize and maintain music library and order supplies
- Transition to Virtual Learning during Pandemic
New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Middle School
08.2018 - 01.2019
- Developed a positive rapport with students
- Use Google Classroom to prepare students for lesson objectives
- Assessed student growth through formative and summative assessments
- Arrange and compose music for classes tailored to level and interests
- Rehearse students and organize two formal concerts a year
- Initiate parent communication through email and phone calls
- Prepare students for CMEA auditions and festival
- Conduct and rehearse Advanced Choir
- Implement a successful beginner concert band
- Teach music theory and music literacy
- Create a Music Boosters with colleagues
- Organize and maintain music library and order supplies
- Organize festivals and field trips
C.B Jennings Dual Language and International Elementary Magnet School
08.2013 - 01.2018
- Design and implement multicultural, multi-sensory and engaging music lessons grades PK-5, that are aligned to the National Core Arts Standards for Music
- Rehearse students to perform at two choral concerts a year
- Organize class time so that preparation, rehearsal and instruction can be accomplished within the allotted time.
- Developed and implemented a successful Grade 5 Concert Band
- Rehearsed students to perform at two Concert Band showcases per year- including making time for small group instruction
- Designed a Ukulele, Piano and Recorder program
- Rehearsed students to perform at community events: ie. Jennings Carolers, Hispanic Heritage Fiesta
- Use Technology to enhance student experience and understanding of lesson objectives
Music Teacher
Circle of Friends Montessori School
Old Saybrook, CT
01.2013 - 10.2009
- Develop weekly lesson plans for a mixed-age classroom, ages 3-9, that allow every child to understand the information, while being challenged appropriately. Each lesson plan is tailored to give students hands-on exposure to the musical culture of the continents that they are learning throughout the year. Rehearse two music showcases per year that involve song, dance, and instrumental playing congruent to the current continent being studied.
Education
Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Leadership - Educational Leadership And Management
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT04.2026
B.S. - Music / Concentration in Percussion
Western Connecticut University
Skills
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Spreadsheets (OpenOffice, Google Sheets, Excel Calc)
- Team management
- Creativity and innovation
- Partnerships and alliances
- Conflict resolution
- Data analysis
- Outliners and Graphical Organizers (Word, Powerpoint, Prezi)
- Google Calendar/Classroom
- Outlook
- Finale/MuseScore (music composition)
- Garage Band
- Logic Pro/Audacity
- BandLabcom
- FlipGrid
- Computer conferencing (Blackboard, Google Meet, Zoom)
- Video conferencing, whiteboarding, application sharing (Spreed, Skype)
- Web Authoring (rvSiteBuilder)
- Image Editing and Layered Design (GIMP, Canva)
- Digital Video (WeVideo iMovie, Basix Adobe Premier, Final Cut Pro)
- File Transfer (FTP & BitTorrent)
Accomplishments
- Increased student participation in the arts and increased community partnerships by continuing to develop the Edgewood Guest Artist Program for all K-8 students
- Collaborated with team of 12 in the development of School-Wide events as a member of the SPMT team.
- Collaborated with team of 15 in the review of school-wide Data analysis and Data-Driven decision making to develop curriculum initiatives and school-wide behavior initiatives
Certification
- 2025 Restorative Practices Tier 1
- 2024 Mental Health Training
- 2023 Anti-Racist Teacher Certificate
- 2018 IB MYP Certification Level 1
- 2017 IB PYP Certification Level 1
- 2015 Conversational Solfege Beginning Music Literacy Level 1
- 2013 CT Certification 049
- 2005 Music Together Teacher
- 2001 America Reads Tutor
Languages
Spanish
Elementary
Timeline
Enrichment Director/Team Lead/Music Teacher
Edgewood STEAM Magnet School
05.2022 - Current
Haddam-Killingworth High School
08.2020 - 01.2021
Haddam-Killingworth Intermediate and Middle School
08.2019 - 01.2020
New London Visual and Performing Arts Magnet Middle School
08.2018 - 01.2019
C.B Jennings Dual Language and International Elementary Magnet School
08.2013 - 01.2018
Music Teacher
Circle of Friends Montessori School
01.2013 - 10.2009
Private and Ensemble Music Instruction
Face Arts School of Music
01.2003 - Current
B.S. - Music / Concentration in Percussion
Western Connecticut University
Sixth-Year Certificate in Educational Leadership - Educational Leadership And Management
Quinnipiac University
Affiliations
- 2025 Connecticut Arts Administrators Association
- Present National Association For Music Educators 1/2011 1800 Silas Deane Hwy Rocky Hill, CT 06067
- Present Percussive Arts Society 1/2007 110 W. Washington Street Suite A Indianapolis, IN 46204
- Present Vic Firth Private Drum Teacher Network 1/2007 Boston/Dedham Commerce Park 65 Sprague Street Boston, MA 02136
Leadership Experience
- Building Level Data Team (BLDT), 2022–Present (NELP 4; NELP 6)
- School Planning and Management Team (SPMT), 2022–Present (NELP 1; NELP 6)
- Unified Arts Team Lead, 2023–Present (NELP 3; NELP 7)
- Team Mentor, 2023–Present (NELP 7)
- Family Engagement Committee, 2026 (NELP 8)
- Courageous Conversations PLC (Professional Learning Community), 2024–2025 (NELP 3; NELP 5)
- Restorative Practices Study, 2024 (NELP 5)
- District Arts Curriculum Writing, 2026 (NELP 4; NELP 3)
- Anti-Racist Teacher Training, 2023 (NELP 3)
- Connecticut Arts Administrators Association – Teacher Lead Member, 2025–2026 (NELP 7; NELP 8)
- Yale “Music in Schools” Summer Conference, 2023 & 2025 (NELP 4; NELP 7)
- Field experience partner, Southern Connecticut State University (NELP 7; NELP 8)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT & SCHOOL COMMITTEES
- 2023 Anti-Racist Teacher Institute New Haven Public Schools
- 2022-2023 Unified Arts Team Leader Edgewood Magnet STEAM
- 2023 Pit Director “Mary Poppins Jr” Edgewood Drama Club
- 2019-Present Music Boosters Parent Regional School District #4
- 2021 Pit Director “Working The Musical” Haddam Killingworth High School
- 2020 “Take Out, Listen In” LiveStream Concert to Support Local Artists
- 2020-21 Shoreline Soup Kitchen and Pantries Concert The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center Old Saybrook, CT 06475
- 2020 Emily Dickinson Tribute The Hygienic Gallery New London, CT 06320
- 2019 Music Boosters New London Public Schools
- 2019 Magnet Pathways Committee New London Public Schools
- 2018 Music Director “A Coney Island Christmas” Ivoryton Playhouse. 103 Main Street Ivoryton, CT 06442
- 2017 Arts Equity Roundtable Connecticut State Department of Education
- Present Jams For Cans Annual Food Pantry Benefit 1/2005 Face Arts Music 83 Main Street Deep River, CT 06417
- 2017 Report Card Redesign Committee New London Public Schools
- 2016 Curriculum Design Committee New London Public Schools
- 12/2012-12/2008 Winter Follies Annual Toys for Tots Benefit Face Arts Music and The Killingworth Dance Corner 83 Main Street Deep River, CT 06417
- 3/2011-3/2009 Music For Families Benefit Concert Face Arts Music 83 Main Street Deep River, CT 06417
HONORS & AWARDS
6/2017 Certificate of Appreciation C.B. Jennings Elementary School New London Public Schools, 5/2013 Richard Conant Scholarship, 5/2011 The National Society of Leadership and Success 50 Harrison St Suite 308 Hoboken, NJ 07030, 3/2002 President's Award Marymount Manhattan College 221 East 71 Street NY, NY 10021, 4/2001 Theatre Scholarship and Honors Shoreline Arts Alliance 725 Boston Post Road Guilford, CT 06437