Lillian Kennedy
Davis Junction, Illinois, United States,IL
Summary
Enthusiastic future teacher with superb leadership and communication skills. Easily cultivates trusting and productive relationships with students, parents, teachers and administration. Creates, monitors and sustains a multicultural learning environment.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Church Pianist
New Beginnings Baptist Church
Creston, Illinois
08.2016 - Current
- Consulted with directors and producers to determine placement of musical cues and coordinate artistic vision.
- Transposed pieces from one instrument to another and one key to another to accommodate client and musician preferences.
- Played at regular events.
- Collaborated with performers and producers to determine and achieve desired sound for production.
- Practiced selected music to accompany groups.
- Rewrote original scores to adapt to different musical genres and styles.
- Applied knowledge of harmony, melody, rhythm and voice production to individualize presentations and maintain audience interest.
- Used printed text and musical notations to memorize musical selections and routines.
- Studied scores at length to learn music in detail and develop suitable interpretations.
- Transposed music to alternate keys with speed and accuracy.
- Observed choral leaders or prompters for cues or directions in vocal presentations.
- Selected appropriate pieces to meet performance needs and showcase skills.
- Interpreted and modified music to personalize performances.
- Selected music carefully in order to achieve balance of musical styles on program.
- Accompanied congregational singing for Sunday services and special events.
- Played preludes, offertories, postludes and other incidental music at services.
- Learned new hymns and worship songs as requested by the pastor or choir director.
- Conducted rehearsals with the choir and other vocalists to ensure a successful performance on Sundays.
- Provided musical support for weddings, funerals, baptisms, dedications and other church ceremonies.
- Arranged special music for holidays such as Easter, Christmas and Pentecost.
- Maintained an inventory of sheet music for use in performances.
- Performed classical pieces during special concerts or recitals at the church.
- Tuned the piano regularly to ensure it was in good condition for performances.
- Coordinated with the sound technician to ensure that all audio equipment was working properly before each service.
- Assisted in developing a library of instrumental music suitable for liturgical use.
- Collaborated with guest musicians who were invited to perform in church services.
- Composed original works suitable for use in worship services.
- Engaged with children's ministry programs by offering age-appropriate lessons on playing the piano.
- Encouraged young people to explore their musical talents through private instruction or ensemble participation opportunities.
- Researched copyright laws related to using copyrighted material in public performances.
- Selected music for special events.
- Sight-read songs to accompany musical groups.
- Repaired piano keys and strings.
- Prepared invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements and other documents to maintain organized filing system.
- Provided accompaniment for church choirs and other musicians participating in worship.
- Played variety of music with broad stylistic range and improvisatorial flexibility.
- Expressed musical themes through tempo, phrasing and dynamics.
- Identified mistakes made by other musicians and corrected problems.
Piano Teacher
Self Employed
Davis Juntion, IL
08.2014 - Current
- Communicated with parents regarding upcoming events and student progress.
- Coordinated recitals and musical events to showcase student achievements.
- Established strong music foundation with students by incorporating basic music theory into weekly lessons.
- Conducted individual lessons lasting from 30 to 60 minutes each.
- Developed music theory curriculum based on student's learning objectives.
- Evaluated student performance during practice sessions and recitals to ensure progress is being made.
- Maintained accurate records of student attendance and progress reports.
- Collaborated with parents to discuss the development of their child's musical skillset.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current with industry trends and best practices in teaching techniques.
- Instilled values such as diligence, determination and focus to help students deal with challenges of advanced pieces and performances.
- Handled load of 18+ appointments per week with students as young as 5 years old and as old as 50 years old.
- Taught students about cultural influences in music and art styles.
- Prompted student motivation, participation and listening skills through positive reinforcement and weekly recognition.
- Developed interesting course plans to meet academic, intellectual and social needs of students.
- Introduced students to appropriate hand positioning, finger transitions and pedal use.
- Communicated regularly with parents to provide information about children's progress and challenges.
- Arranged lessons to accommodate each student's unique goals and interests.
- Developed musical instruction with goal of end-of-term recital performance.
- Worked with students to sharpen sight-reading, memorization and improvisation piano techniques.
- Selected music from various genres for use as teaching pieces.
- Engaged students in discussions on musical selection and composer histories.
- Provided individual and group piano lessons to students of all ages.
- Organized and implemented lesson plans according to student's needs, abilities, and interests.
- Demonstrated proper technique for playing the piano.
Assistant Gardener
The Kitchen Table Restaurant
Rochelle, Illinois
06.2021 - 01.2023
- Laid down and spread loam and garden soil to prepare spaces for vegetable gardens, planted seeds and cultivated vegetables.
- Identified and removed invasive plants and noxious weeds for garden aesthetics and ecosystem health.
- Participated in seminars to better understand natural pest control products.
- Performed fall and spring cleanup to clear brush and debris from landscaped areas.
- Designed programs for landscape maintenance, pest management, composting and other related topics.
- Educated employees and members of public on plant biology and health.
4-H Junior Leader
Community Programs
Rochelle, IL
09.2018 - 01.2023
- Chaperoned special events and oversaw regular meetings.
- Kept facilities clean and organized, with stocked supplies and maintained equipment.
- Provided advice, mentoring and training to new members.
- Contributed ideas to improve program and increase participation.
- Upheld rules and maintained safety of all members.
- Managed variety of timelines and multiple projects.
- Earned trust of others through open, honest communication and reliable follow-through.
- Created reports detailing progress of projects and tasks assigned to junior leaders.
- Facilitated ongoing mentorship programs between senior leaders and junior leaders.
- Organized monthly events that promoted socialization amongst fellow teammates.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, ILCurrent
Associate of Arts - General
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL05-2022
Skills
- Project presentation
- Budgeting
- Elementary piano instruction
- Group and individual instruction
- Piano training
- Excellent with young children and teens
- Fun learning process
- Mixed media art knowledge
- Multicultural art instruction
- Self-Motivated
- Microsoft Software Proficiency
- Extensive performance background
- Administrative skills
- Safety awareness
- Production deadline management
- Cultural Awareness
- Critical Thinking
- Planning and Coordination
- Classroom Instruction
- Small Group Instruction
- Group Instruction
- Student Engagement
- Curriculum Implementation
- Flexible and adaptive
- Alternative Learning Methods
- Serving Diverse Communities
- Subject matter expertise
- Clear public speaking skills
- Community involvement
- Program Development
- Technology Integration
- Project-based learning
Interests
- Ceramics
- Leatherworking
- Sewing and fashion
- STEAM projects
- Agriculture
- Rabbit husbandry
- Piano
- Art
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Gardening
- Environmental Science
Affiliations
- Gardening
- Piano playing and instruction
- Curriculum development
- Community service
- Private ELA tutoring
- Ogle County 4-H fair judge
- Evolvement in Southeast Asian Students Department at NIU
Timeline
Assistant Gardener
The Kitchen Table Restaurant
06.2021 - 01.2023
4-H Junior Leader
Community Programs
09.2018 - 01.2023
Church Pianist
New Beginnings Baptist Church
08.2016 - Current
Piano Teacher
Self Employed
08.2014 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - English Education
Northern Illinois University
Associate of Arts - General
Rock Valley College
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