Friendships are hard to come by. Especially those friendships that start in college, and continue through marriages, children, and careers. Those friendships are rare. So, who better to introduce our next alumni feature, Kristin Coon ’98, than someone who shared a studio with her at Baldwin Wallace and remained a close friend long after graduation? That person is none other than Kelly Roller ’00, another Conservatory alumna we’ve had the pleasure of featuring in the past.  

"Kristin Coon is an amazing inspiration to me", Kelly shares. "Both as an educator and as a human being. She is a versatile educator with many talents! She is always willing to share what she and her students are up to in the classroom. Her kindness and resilience shine through in every aspect of her life. 

Kristin Coon and Kelly Roller '00 with their daughters at the NYSSMA Area All State Band

Kristin Coon

Instrumental Music Teacher, Northwood Elementary, Hilton, NY

 

 

 

Name: Kristin J. Coon

Name while at BW: Kristin J. Littlejohn

Current teaching position: I am in my 25th year of teaching at Hilton Central School in Hilton, NY.  For the last four years I have taught band to students in grades 4-6.  I taught K-6 general music for 21 years before switching to band.

Career Highlights:

I had a summer job at Tanglewood in Lenox, MA from 1999-2003, I got to meet many awesome musicians and had free tickets to every concert. 

In 2008, I completed the three level Orff-Schulwerk certificate program at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. 

In 2016, I went to Rwanda on a missionary trip.  I had the opportunity to teach some play-party games to 4- & 5-year-olds attending the Nzige Free Methodist School.

In 2016, I won the “Golden Apple” award from the local TV station.

I am a NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) brass adjudicator.

I have grown the enrollment in the instrumental music program at my school. The first year I taught band I had 95 students, this year I have 140. 

I have hosted numerous student teachers from local Universities including Eastman School of Music, Nazareth University, Roberts Wesleyan University, and the Crane School of Music (SUNY Potsdam).

I played French horn in the Roberts Wesleyan University Symphony Orchestra, in Rochester, NY for 20 years, and hope to return when my children are older. 

Members of the Roberts Symphony Orchestra horn section in 2012, and again in 2019.

I have had the great privilege to have my two daughters in my band at school.  My middle school daughter plays bassoon in a local youth orchestra, they needed extra French horn in the last concert, and she and I played together on the same stage. 

What are some specific challenges you encounter in teaching music to elementary school children? It can be difficult to keep elementary kids motivated to practice. They have many demands on their time (sports, scouts, homework, etc.), and not much experience with delayed gratification.  I have also struggled to help children who experience trauma in their personal lives. 

What specifically would you change about how we teach music? Being good at an instrument requires consistent, focused practice. I wish I could have my band rehearse every day, instead of twice a week. The biggest challenge my students face is reading the notes on the music staff.  I also wish I had learned woodwind repair in college!

When were you first introduced to music and how? I come from a musical family, one grandmother was a harpist, the other played trombone.  Everyone in my family loves to sing, and I grew up singing with them in church. 

When did you start lessons? I began the French horn in 4th grade and began studying privately in 8th grade.

What musical activities did you pursue in high school? I participated in Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz band and Chorus.  I also took a voice class and a music theory class.

What made you decide to go to BW? I decided on BW because it was close to Cleveland and has a great classical music scene. The other schools I was considering were in rural locations with no professional orchestra.  I also received financial aid/scholarships, a great help!

When did you graduate from BW and with what degree? I graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Music Education.

Favorite professor: James Darling and Dr. James Hirt

What ensembles, groups, or activities did you participate in while at BW? Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Brass Choir, Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, I also had a work-study job in the recording studio. 

Mary Harmon Kettering '98, Erin Yelton Broadhurst '00, Kristin Littlejohn Coon '98, Nancy Lucas Bacon '98 and Jodell (Jodi) Boruvka Utter '98

Favorite piece of music you learned or performed while at BW?

Igot Stravinsky, The Firebird Suite

Sergei Prokofiev - Peter & the Wolf (learned and performed by the student orchestra)

Gustav Mahler - Symphony No. 1 in D Major

 

During the 1997–1998 school year, Kristin helped organize a chamber orchestra with several friends from the Conservatory. Jason Seber ’98— who holds prestigious conducting posts with such ensembles as the Kansas City Symphony and Louisville Orchestra—conducted the ensemble. They performed Peter and the Wolf by Sergei Prokofiev and Siegfried Idyll by Richard Wagner. To secure a quality rehearsal space, the group practiced at 10 p.m. Professor Oltman enthusiastically supported the project, and the orchestra eventually presented a full concert. “It was so fun!” Kristin recalled.

 

The Peter & the Wolf Orchestra

Front Row: Nicole Oltman '98, Ted Smeltz '98, Yen-Ju Li '99, Shannon Williams '99, Erin Yelton '00, Nancy Lucas '98, Jodell Boruvka '98

Back Row: Rachel Hockenberry '04, Michael Roller '98, Chris Kane '99, Wendy Hermes '98, Kelly Meek '00, Jeremy Craycraft '98, Jesse Martin '00, Jenny Glaubach '99, Professor George Keitly (percussion), Linda Kellam '98, Dolf Kamper '98, Melissa Hackbarth '00, Jason Seber '98, Kristin Littlejoohn '98.

 

Favorite music that you listen to currently? All kinds of music!  Mahler, Respighi, Holst, Brandi Carlile, Bela Fleck, Irish traditional. 

Who was the very first person you met at BW? Kimberly Yousey Elsener, she was working at the audition day I attended.  She would often give me a ride home at the end of the term.  We’re still friends 30 years later!

Is there someone from BW that you stay in touch with now? Kimbery Yousey-Elsener, Kimberly Schillaci Wise, Kelly & Michael Roller, Theresa Young

BW Cake - Kristin Coon '98, Michael Roller '98, Linda Kellam '98, and Jodell (Jodi) Boruvka Utter '98 holding the cake. 

Valuable lesson you’ve learned since you graduated: Being an educator requires flexibility and compassion. 

What is something new that you took interest in or started doing after graduating? I started knitting in 2004, now I’m an avid knitter and I even spin my own yarn. In 2020 I began sewing masks, and I ended up making 3000+.  My “hobby” has expanded and now I do dance costume alterations for the Irish dance school my children attend. I have also been a volunteer adaptive ski instructor (alpine) and participated on an Irish Dance Team for Adults.

If you could go back and give yourself advice BEFORE you started college, what would it be? This is the chapter of your life when you will actually have time to practice.  No spouse, kids, housework or full-time job, TAKE ADVANTAGE!

1996 BW Brass Quintet - Heather Kirschner '96, Kyle Johnson '96, Andy Williams, Melanie Rossiter '98, and Kristin Littlejohn Coon '98.

If you could give advice to a graduating BW senior, what would you say? The secret is - you have to do the work, there are no shortcuts to success.  Hard work pays off, keep practicing and doing the work even when you don’t feel like it. You never know who will help you in the future.  I got my first teaching job (the one I still have today) because a student teacher remembered me working hard in high school. He was working in school administration by the time I was applying for jobs.

What is your favorite book? Favorite Authors - Agatha Christie, Ann Cleeves & Tana French 

What is your favorite show to binge on TV? Any British murder mystery, “Vera”, “Shetland” and any Agatha Christie adaptations.  I also love “Antiques Roadshow”.   

Favorite quote: "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime." - Mark Twain

 

 

If you are a Conservatory alum, please join our ever-growing BW Conservatory of Performing Arts Facebook group. If you have questions, would like to reach out, or would like to nominate a Conservatory alum for a feature, please do not hesitate to e-mail Dr. Zarina Melik-Stepanova at zmelikst@bw.edu. 

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, Matt Chidsey '21, or Max Nolin '13 please go to HIVE MIND homepage.