Jennifer B. Schecter
Queens
Summary
Dynamic Instrumental Music Teacher at Marie Curie Middle School 158, recognized for achieving Gold ratings at NYSSMA and securing over $500,000 in grants. Expert in ensemble direction and student engagement, I initiated impactful mentorship programs and fostered community outreach, enhancing the arts experience for students and families alike.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Conductor
Queens Salute to Music
Queens
10.2005 - Current
- Conduct the Wind Ensemble and the Concert Band.
- Choose repertoire, and prepare engaging lessons for both ensembles.
- Liaison for recruitment and retention.
- Communication with students and families
Instrumental Music Teacher
Marie Curie Middle School 158
Queens
09.2004 - Current
- Grades 6-8: Beginning, Intermediate, and Concert Bands.
- Initiated Jazz Ensemble and Band Buddies Music Mentoring Programs.
- Achieved Gold and Gold with Distinction ratings at NYSSMA (Levels II and III) from 2007 to 2025.
- Achieved a superior rating at Music in the Parks 2025.
- Acquired more than $500,000 in grant money for the MS 158Q Arts Department.
- The Wind Ensemble performed for Chancellor Dennis D. Walcott, 2012.
- Wind Ensemble performed at the Queens Borough Arts Festival, 2018.
- The Symphonic Band performed for singer-songwriter Josh Groban in 2010.
- Partner with Jazz House Kids for the 2025 - 2026 school year.
- Involved 158 MS students in numerous community-based music programs.
Education
Master of Arts - Wind Conducting
Hofstra University
01.2010
Master of Science - Music Education
Queens College/ACSM
01.2006
Bachelor of Science - Music Education
Central Michigan University
01.2002
Skills
- Equipment maintenance and repair
- Mentorship programs
- Student engagement
- Curriculum development
- Ensemble direction
- Community outreach involvement
Affiliations
Jazz House Fellow 2025-2026
Keynote Speaker at the NYSBDA conference, 2022
Attended Restorative Practices, SEL and Racial Equity training, 2021
Carnegie Hall Music Educators’ Workshop 2020-2021
Attended the Carnegie Hall Music Educators’ Workshop, Summer 2016
Jazz at Lincoln Center - Band Director Academy Workshop, Summer 2013
Attended Little Kids Rock training and received $5,000 in free instruments 2013
Co-presented workshop “No Pullouts? No Problem!”
NYSSMA Winter Conference – Rochester, NY - November 2018
Co-presented workshop, “Successful Urban Band Director: Making it work where it usually doesn’t”
Ohio Music Educators Professional Conference, 2014
The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2012
ü Presented workshop, “It Takes a Community: A Positive Approach to Urban Music Teaching & Grant Writing” NYSSMA Conference, 2011NAfME
- NYSSMA
- MEANYC
- NYSBDA
Certification
New York State Permanent Teaching Certification, Music K-12
Grants and Awards
Big Apple Award Recipient, 2021
NYC Big Apple Awards Finalist 2017, 2019 & 2020
Recognized as model urban program by Vh-1 Save the Music, 2017
Fund for Public Schools Instrument Grant, 2016
Vh-1 Save the Music Keys Plus Kids Piano Grant, 2016
Facilitated the winning MS 158 ARTSspace ($250,000) grant for auditorium upgrades, 2016
Grammy Educator Award quarterfinalist, 2015
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation/WQXR Instrument Drive Grant, 2014
Young Audiences of NY – Fixing Instruments in Kids Schools Grant, 2012
Facilitated the MS 158Q Arts Department entry in the Bing Our School Needs Contest, 2010, Our entry won a first-place prize of $50,000
Received 55 grants for instruments, supplies and technology from Donorschoose.org, 2009
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Melody Grant, 2009
VH-1 Save the Music Grant recipient, 2008
Community Service
Initiated the MS 158 Band Buddies (music peer-tutoring) Program, 2018-2024
MS 158 College Access for All committee, 2018-2019
RCMEA - Rockland All-County Intermediate Band Conductor, 2017
Chairperson/logistics coordinator for NYC Area All State JH Concert Band, 2015-2026
Voluntarily mentor newer DOE music teachers and assist with instrument repair
Initiated the Queens College Honor Band Festival
- Raised over $15,000 dollars to support NYC band programs, 2012-2018
Mentored 30 student teachers from Queens College, Potsdam and Fredonia, 2006-2024
NMEA - Nassau Division II All-County Band conductor, 2013
Created the MS 158 Cares School Supplies Drive to benefit Hurricane Sandy devastated schools, PS /IS43Q, PS 47Q
Leadership Roles
Zone 12 Area All State Concert Band Chair, 2005 - Present
Queens Band Team Leader, 02024 - Present
Chancellors’ Teacher Advisory Committee, 2021-2022
Associate conductor for the Queens Salute to Music Program, 2005 - Present
District 26 Big Apple Ambassador, 2017 - 2022
Paul Simon Fellows / NAfME Instructional Mentoring Program, 2018 - 2023
City Wide Music Professional Development Facilitator, 2017 - Present
Chancellors’ Strategic Arts Planning Committee, 2018-2019
Professional Development
Jazz House Fellow, 2025-2026
Keynote Speaker at the NYSBDA conference, 2022
Attended Restorative Practices, SEL and Racial Equity training, 2021
Carnegie Hall Music Educators’ Workshop, 2020-2021
Attended the Carnegie Hall Music Educators’ Workshop, 2016
Jazz at Lincoln Center - Band Director Academy Workshop, 2013
Attended Little Kids Rock training and received $5,000 in free instruments, 2013
Co-presented workshop 'No Pullouts? No Problem!', NYSSMA Winter Conference – Rochester, NY, 11/01/18
Co-presented workshop, 'Successful Urban Band Director: Making it work where it usually doesn’t', Ohio Music Educators Professional Conference, 2014
The Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, 2012
Presented workshop, 'It Takes a Community: A Positive Approach to Urban Music Teaching & Grant Writing', NYSSMA Conference, 2011
Accomplishments
Big Apple Award Recipient 2021
NYC Big Apple Awards Finalist 2017, 2019 & 2020
Chosen as model program by Vh-1 Save the Music - 2017
Fund for Public Schools Instrument Grant 2016
Vh-1 Save the Music Keys Plus Kids Piano Grant - 2016
Facilitated the winning MS 158 ARTSspace ($250,000) grant for auditorium upgrades 2016
Grammy Educator Award quarterfinalist 2015
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation/WQXR Instrument Drive Grant - 2014
Young Audiences of NY – Fixing Instruments in Kids Schools Grant - 2012
Facilitated the MS 158Q Arts Department entry in the Bing Our School Needs Contest 2010
Our entry won a first-place prize of $50,000
Received 50 grants for instruments, supplies and technology from Donorschoose.org,
Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation Melody Grant - 2009
VH-1 Save the Music Grant recipient - 2008
Timeline
Conductor
Queens Salute to Music
10.2005 - Current
Instrumental Music Teacher
Marie Curie Middle School 158
09.2004 - Current
Master of Arts - Wind Conducting
Hofstra University
Master of Science - Music Education
Queens College/ACSM
Bachelor of Science - Music Education
Central Michigan University
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