Kindergarten-8th Grade Music Teacher
Caleb grew up in Greybull by the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming, one hour from Yellowstone. Lucky enough to have been in Wyoming at the same time as jazz great Ronnie Bedford, Caleb studied jazz music and percussion with him privately in his formative years. As music has always been a part of his life since early childhood, it only seems natural for him to teach. He attended the Northwest College Music Department for music performance and has travelled to study music in Brazil, Morocco, Spain, and the Netherlands. Piano and percussion are Caleb’s main performing instruments. He has taught music in the classroom for three years. His 2011-2012 year at Sussex being his fifth. He has taught private lessons for 6 years for people ages 4-68. His work with the local non-profit “Music by People with Disabilities” has encouraged him to place music in any open book and mind no matter what the age or mental state may be. He strongly believes in music’s power to heal, bring happiness, transcend language, and change people for the better.
What is your teaching philosophy? To always enjoy music and listen to it all. I want my students to understand what music is and use it as a tool to explore other cultures. Because music is a universal language it can aid in creating well-rounded and culturally aware students. I want them to learn basics, however, more importantly I want them to be aware that this world is a Global World and now more than ever we have to learn to accept and desire to understand many different walks of life. I feel music is the best tool for this without leaving the classroom
Is there anyone in particular who has inspired you as a teacher? There are too many people. One that really sticks out in my mind would be Karyne Dunbar, my 6-10 art instructor. She had a way in the classroom that was so free and open yet her demand to get the most out of her students always produced great work and many times award winning work. She always had to fight for the way her classroom was run within the public system and never gave up. She always made us aware of other cultures through art, and the most inspiring fact is that she still produced and currently creates art of her own amidst the busy teaching life.
What was your most rewarding experience as a teacher? In the few years that I have taught I would say my most rewarding experience was in my work with “Music by People with Disabilities”. I was able to get a child with MPD to come out of the corner and actually dance, listen, and play music through a period of two years.
What do you love most about teaching? I like learning as a teacher. It inherently makes me a better teacher. I hope my students learn as much from me as I do from them. Teaching is such a creative and inspiring art I want to always improve myself and grow whether 10 or 90.
What do you like to do when you are not teaching? Spend time with family and my lovely wife Fernanda and Anuk, our proud dog. Perform, practice, tour, cook, snowboard, camp, and travel.
Who is the person you admire most in the world? My wife. She has the strongest will and biggest heart of anyone I know. She reminds me everyday to try my best and always improve. She is the real master of keeping childhood alive while still living and functioning in an adult world.