Jennifer Gerhard
565 State Rte 93 Sugarloaf,PA
Summary
I am a highly motivated educator with a passion for inspiring students to become competent and confident musicians as well as productive and honorable members of society. I am a resolute advocate for the arts in our schools and in our communities and create opportunities to showcase students musical accomplishments throughout the area.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Music
MMI Preparatory School
08.2023 - Current
- Developed a comprehensive instrumental and choral music curriculum for Grades 6-12
- Conduct general music classes as well as instrumental music lessons, concert band, Mid-School Chorus, and Select Chorus rehearsals
- Direct and provide music for Winter and Spring Concerts and MMI Graduation ceremonies
- Instituted the first Jazz and Pep Bands at MMI Preparatory
- Provide additional performance opportunities for students including PMEA District 9 Band, Chorus, Jazz, and String Fest, Marywood Junior and Senior Wind Band Festivals (Grades 6-9), Luzerne County Band and Chorus, and PMEA District 9 Band, Chorus, Jazz, and Orchestra Festivals (grades 10-12)
- Choral students perform at the 2023 Christmas at the Luzerne County Courthouse
- Mid-School and Select Choruses perform at the 2024 Music Advocacy Day at the PA State Capitol
Instrumental and Choral Music Director
Hazleton Area School District
08.2009 - 08.2023
- Provided small group instrumental lessons: grades 4-8
- Directed weekly band rehearsals for Concert Band and Beginner Band
- Directed weekly Chorus rehearsals for both Full Chorus and Select Chorus (auditioned group performing music at a higher level)
- Held Winter and Spring Concerts for Band and Chorus each year
- Collaborated to develop the current curriculum for instrumental music education in the Hazleton Area School District
- Acted as the Assistant High School Band Director at Hazleton Area High School: August 2011-July 2016
- Began the Hazleton Area School District's first Elementary/Middle School Jazz Ensemble at Heights Terrace in 2012
- Prepared and accompanied students from Heights Terrace, Maple Manor and West Hazleton for PMEA sponsored festivals including Jazz Fest, Chorus Fest and Band Fest
- Prepared and accompanied students at non-PMEA sponsored festivals including Marywood Jr. Wind Band Celebration, Luzerne County Band, and HASD MIOSM (Music in Our Schools Month) Band and Chorus festivals
- Performed at PMEA Mall Concert Series with Heights Terrace Jazz Ensemble: 2016-2020
- Performed at the Hazleton Community Concert Series concert in December 2018 with the Heights Terrace Jazz Ensemble (opening for the Cellar Dwellarzz Jazz Ensemble)
- Hosted PMEA Band Fest at Hazleton Area: May 2022
- Directed HASD MIOSM Wind Ensemble: March, 2013
- Directed HASD MIOSM Jazz Ensemble: March, 2014
- Directed HASD MIOSM Concert Band: March, 2022
- Accompanied (on piano) the MIOSM Crimson Chorus: March 2022 and 2023
- Mentored first year music teachers: 2015-2019
- Created and maintained the instrumental and choral music library for Elementary/Middle school level in the Hazleton Area School District
- Maintain instrumental inventories at Heights Terrace, Maple Manor, and West Hazleton
- Act as PMEA Advocacy Chair: 2020-present
- Will assume the role of Membership and Mentorship Chair for PMEA District 9 in the 2023-2024 Academic Year
- Act as a instrumental judge at the PMEA District, Region and All-State levels: 2010-present
- Completed the PMEA Leadership Academy: July 2022
- Acted as clarinet instructor and Symphonic Band director at Ferrwood Music Camp: July 2012-July 2016
- Maintain an active member status in several professional organizations including: PMEA (Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, NaFME (National Association for Music Education, and WBDA (Women Band Directors International)
Music Ministry Director
St. John Bosco Church
05.2018 - Current
- Provide weekly rehearsals for the St. John Bosco Adult Choir
- Provide weekly rehearsals for St. John Bosco Children's Choir
- Schedule music and create the cantor schedule for the entire church year.
- Provide music at weekly masses on piano and direct Adult choir at two masses per month
- Provide music for all special events at St John Bosco
- Coordinate and run fundraisers for both Adult and Children's Choir to purchase new music and equipment for the ministry
- Coordinate and run a Winter and Spring social for the music ministry
- Create and maintain the music database for St. John Bosco
- Act as musical director for Nunsense: the Mega-Musical: June 2023
- Act as music director at VBS (Vacation Bible School) at SJB: July 2017-present
- WIll host a music ministry retreat and concert for recording artist, Sarah Hart, in October 2023
Instrumental Music Director
Archdiocesan Music Program
08.2002 - 07.2009
- Provide weekly small group instrumental lessons at several schools in the Archdiocese of Washington DC
- Provide weekly band rehearsals for both Concert Band and Beginner Band
- Director of Bands for the Archdiocese Music Program Summer Band program (2002-2009)
- Conduct North and South Honors Bands (March 2003, March 2005, March 2008)
- Prepare bands with two contest pieces and perform yearly adjudicated festivals with each school band
Education
Master of Science - Educational Technology
Wilkes University
Wilkes-barre, PA05.2026
Bachelor of Science - Music Education
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown, PA05.2002
Skills
- Founded and co-directed the Hazleton Area's first community jazz band, The Cellar Dwellarzz, in 2016 The band performed over 100 times throughout our area and had the honor to perform at the 2018 Christmas at the White House as well as at the PA State Capitol for Music in Our Schools Month Advocacy Day in March 2019
- Active member of the Drums Lioness Lions Club where I serve are Secretary and chair of the 8th and 12th grade Service and Leadership Award, which is given two outstanding young women from the Drums area each academic year I am avid proponent of empowering strong and independent young women to become leaders in their community
- District 14-W Lions All-State Band Chairperson
- Represented Lions District 14-W and completed the RLLI (Regional Lions Leadership Institute in March 2023)
- In conjunction with St John Bosco Church, I help to serve meals at the Salvation Army during the summer months
Timeline
Director of Music
MMI Preparatory School
08.2023 - Current
Music Ministry Director
St. John Bosco Church
05.2018 - Current
Instrumental and Choral Music Director
Hazleton Area School District
08.2009 - 08.2023
Instrumental Music Director
Archdiocesan Music Program
08.2002 - 07.2009
Master of Science - Educational Technology
Wilkes University
Bachelor of Science - Music Education
Elizabethtown College
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