Kelly Roller, 4th and 5th grade band teacher at Geneva City School District in Geneva, New York
This idea has been simmering for a few years now. I worked almost exclusively with adult learners while I took time out of the public school realm to raise our family. During that time, I directed a handbell choir and started many new ringers on their musical journeys. Many of them confided that they wished they had played an instrument when they were in school or that they had never quit. When I went back into the classroom to teach beginning band, I kept hearing the same sentiment. As I built relationships with the educators around me, there was a recurring theme: “I wish I had learned to play an instrument when I was a kid.”
I have also been fortunate enough to work with multigenerational community ensembles as a handbell choir director and a community band director. There is something really special about a young student explaining how something works to an older student that is just magical and in turn, having that adult learner share their experience with the child. Not as the teacher, but on equal ground where everyone is learning together. The bonds that form between these learners are very strong. I wondered if there was a way to recreate that magic in the classroom.
I believe music is for everyone. Music enhances our quality of life, broadens our horizons, and makes us better human beings. When New York State rolled out its Social Emotional Learning Benchmarks in 2022, I made a connection between those benchmarks and how a music classroom can help meet almost all of those benchmarks. These benchmarks focus not only on the students, but also on the adults teaching those students. I saw this as an entrance point to get my idea off the ground.
My band program has two major components to it: small group lessons and a full ensemble experience. We don’t start the full ensemble experience until the beginners have acquired the basic skills of putting together their instruments and making some basic, good sounds. Here, I saw an opportunity. I invited any staff member in my building to come learn an instrument of their choice for 6 weeks. I taught heterogeneous group lessons in the full band time slot for 6 weeks (My ensemble time is before the school day actually begins). Once that 6 weeks was over, it was time for all the 4th grade students to start the full band experience.
We are entering week 4 of the full band experience and the magic is happening! The adult learners are sitting in with the students. The students are sharing their knowledge with the adults. Together, they are creating a welcoming, safe, trusting, and creative environment in which they can all take risks, make mistakes, learn and improve. The 4th graders look forward to seeing their teachers in band and showing them their new skills. The adult educators are just as excited to come to band and play with the kids.
This project is creating an amazing environment. It is like a magnetic pull. There are people of all ages in the band room all the time! It has allowed me to build positive connections and relationships with the educators in my building. It has brought everyone, from various job titles, together with one common goal: the joy of creating music. I am thankful for the opportunity to try something new and to see it work in such a positive way! Music really is for all of us! And we all have so much to learn from each other!
Name: Kelly Roller
Name while at BW: Kelly Meek
Current teaching position and years at this job: Grades 4 and 5 band teacher at Geneva City School District, Geneva NY. This is my second year in this position. This is my 10th year in public education (I took a 15 year parenting leave ;) )
Job Responsibilities: Beginning band in 4th Grade, 5th Grade Band, 5th Grade Jazz Band, Lesson program within the school day: a pull-out program with small groups of homogeneous instrumentation.
What are some specific challenges you encounter in teaching music to middle school students?
I teach in a city school district with a diverse population. One of the biggest challenges I faced when I started this position was access to quality instruments for all students. Many of the school instruments in my inventory have outlived their life expectancy. I have a big dream that the district will be able to provide quality instruments to every fourth grade student who wishes to learn, despite their economic status and my district supported me in that dream. While we certainly have not solved the problem entirely, my district was able to access grant funds to purchase many new instruments that are now in the hands of our students.
I have many students whose first language is not English. My personal challenge is communicating through words with them. I am working on my Spanish, but their English is much better than my Spanish! Thank goodness music and educational modeling are universal!
The Honeoye Community Band, under the direction of Kelly Roller '00
If you had the freedom to change our educational system, what would you do? - I would eliminate barriers to student success, giving students access to what they need.
When were you first introduced to music and how? - One of my earliest memories of being enthralled with music is from when I was maybe 5. At the end of the Sunday church service, I would leave my parents and go sit in the front pew, right next to the organ until the organist was finished with the postlude. I intently watched the organist and was amazed at what that instrument was capable of.
When did you start lessons? - I started French horn in 5th grade. I think I started piano in 5th or 6th grade.
What musical activities did you pursue in high school? - Chorus, Band, Jazz Band, Honors Bands, Church music.
The MidLakes Brass Quintet: Steve Trowbridge, John Trowbrdige, Jim Trowbridge, Kelly Roller '00 , Jeff Stempien.
What made you decide to go to BW? - I initially looked at BW because my HS band teacher hung up their recruitment poster and it had a picture of a French horn. I decided to attend BW because I was immediately drawn to the warm, inviting atmosphere that focused on the individual learner while adhering to high performance standards. I knew I could grow as a musician AND an educator in the space of this school.
When did you graduate from BW and with what degree? - 2000, BME
Favorite professor: Laura Joss and Dwight Oltman
What ensembles, groups, or activities did you participate in while at BW? - Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Brass Choir, Brass Quintet
Favorite piece of music you learned or performed while at BW? - Mahler Symphony No. 1, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5, De Meij Symphony No. 1 "Lord of the Rings", Respeghi Pines of Rome.
What class was most difficult for you? - Psychology…it was my largest class.
Is there someone from BW that you stay in touch with now? - I married my college sweetheart, Michael Roller '98. We celebrate 25 years of marriage this summer! I also stay in touch with many of my classmates from BW.
What is something new that you took interest in or started doing after graduating? - Photography
If you could go back and give yourself advice BEFORE you started college, what would it be? - Do the work well. Don’t skip the details. Pay attention and ask questions. You will be surrounded by some of your biggest supporters who want to see you succeed while you’re in college. Soak in the experience.
What was one thing about teaching that was most surprising?
It doesn’t seem to matter what level I teach, the students have a desire to be successful at what they do. I have been so fortunate to work with groups of all ages and to help create real, authentic musical moments that the students and I will carry with us throughout our lives. I am always amazed at the human ability to create meaningful music at any level.
What was one thing about being a musician that was most surprising? - Music is a human experience. I am so lucky to have a job where I get to help people realize the joy that comes from creating music together.
What is your favorite show to binge on TV? - "Only Murders in the Building"
What is your BW “family tree”? - Literally…our daughter, Cora, is a freshman violin BME Major.
Favorite quote: “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” -Zig
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To check out our previous feature on Stephen Tsambarlis '20, Kalee Bondzio '14, Rayna Brooks '16, Hillery Needham '03, Hailey Bryson '12, David Croglio '15 and Patrice Croglio '17, or Max Nolin '13 please go to HIVE MIND homepage.
