Jacob DePalma

My goal as an educator is to help students discover the power of their expressive selves through personally and culturally relevant music creation, performance, and analysis. I strive to teach educatively and improve my practice with every lesson.

• Served as the junior band chairperson for the 2024 ACAMT All-County Festival in March of 2024, which was hosted at Sidney Central School District. Responsibilities included: Communications with guest conductors, acquiring and distributing concert repertoire to teachers across Chenango county, ensemble roster management, assisting with rehearsal/performance space setup, catering for teachers, etc.
• Directed Stockbridge Valley Students, Staff in Community Band Experience, 05/2023, Directed my 7th-8th grade band, 9th-12th grade band, and musicians from Stockbridge Valley's faculty and community in a collaborative performance of "Circle of Life" arr. Michael Sweeney, for our Spring 2023 Concert.
• Participated in "STEAM Ahead in the Valley" STEAM Fair, 04/2023, Participated in a STEAM fair at Stockbridge Valley entitled "STEAM Ahead in the Valley", where different STEAM oriented clubs hosted tables with various crafting projects related to their field. These projects helped students understand the value of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics in everyday life.
• Pit Band Performer- "Elf the Musical" in collaboration with the Stockbridge Valley CSD Drama Club, 11/2022, Performed as a member of the pit ensemble for the Stockbridge Valley CSD drama club production of "Elf The Musical".
• Elementary Orchestra Chairperson, 2022 OCMEA All-County Festival, 04/01/2022 - 04/02/2022, Served as the Elementary Orchestra Chairperson for the 2022 OCMEA All-County Music Festival. Responsibilities included sending concert music to teachers across Oneida county, overseeing student selection, supervising ensemble rehearsals, chaperoning participating students from Utica City Schools, and assisting the general festival chairperson with festival operations during the two-day event.
• In-Person Music Department Meetings, 09/2021 - 06/2022, Worked with the music department of the Utica City School District throughout the year to present ideas, aid colleagues, helped modify student pre and post tests, assist with modernizing/improving district music curriculum, and improving instructional practice as a district.
• Virtual Music Department Meetings, 09/2020 - 06/2021, Worked with the music department of the Utica City School District throughout the year to present ideas, aid colleagues, help with technology issues, create curriculum, and research effective distance learning techniques.