EDUCATION
DOCTOR OF EDUCATION, Music and Music Education (2021)
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Scholarship Recipient
Dissertation Title: Exploring the Whole Singing Self with Technique, Contemplative Education, and Mindfulness
MASTER OF EDUCATION, Music and Music Education (2008)
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Scholarship Recipient
MASTER OF ARTS with NY STATE CERTIFICATION, Music and Music Education (2008)
Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Scholarship Recipient
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS, Theatre Performance, Summa cum Laude (2003)
University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO
Honors Scholarship (eight graduating seniors)
University of Colorado Dean’s List
Golden Key National Honor Society
BACHELOR OF MUSIC - VOICE THEATRE TRAINING
University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO
Voice and Music Training (Patrick Mason)
VOICE TEACHING AND MUSICAL DIRECTING WORK EXPERIENCE
IMMERSION YOUTH REPERTORY, Rochester, MN
Co-founder, Artistic Director, Music Director, Summer 2016-Current
Voice teacher, music director, and co-founder of pre-professional summer training program for students grades 4-college
Helping students musically express characters through song in a variety of styles using healthy and sustainable vocal technique
Conductor for pit orchestra SEMYO (South Eastern Minnesota Youth Orchestra), Les Miserables, 2019
Casting, Teaching Music, Directing, Show Selection, Advertising, Contracting, Space Rental, Set Construction / Strikes, Equipment Procurement
Designed and implemented a mentoring workshop with the local YMCA camp
TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY
Applied Music Instructor, Department of Music, January, 2007 – May, 2008; September 2018-2020
Applied vocal pedagogy knowledge to teach undergraduate and graduate students of varying backgrounds (music majors, School of the Arts acting students, beginners)
Created courses to suit student’s musical ability and desires in preparation for final recitals and graduate recitals
Developed supplementary activities to teach and evaluate students as they increase their musical sensibilities
INDEPENDENT MUSIC AND VOICE TEACHER, Various Locations
Instructor, Fall 2007-present
Designing individual curriculum for students of varying levels and styles: from beginning R&B to professional theatrical performers (Students ages 12-adult)
Designing and implementing creative approaches to interpretation and personalization through dialogue and critical thinking
Teaching solo NYSSMA Master Class (voice preparation): Bronxville Schools, 2016
Incorporating music theory and knowledge with technical vocal skills
RANDOM FARMS KIDS’ Theater, Elmsford, NY
Voice Teacher, 2015-2019
Designing and teaching private voice lessons to students ages 7-18 (beginners-professionally performing)
Helping choose appropriate repertoire
Organizing and facilitating studio recitals
Creating and teaching group voice classes, grades 3-5
BRONXVILLE ADULT SCHOOL, Bronxville, NY
Group Singing Musical Theatre Instructor, 2013-2014; 2015-2016
Designed and implemented a course for adults (beginner – intermediate levels) teaching healthy singing technique and basic music theory through the lens of musical theatre songs
K-12 TEACHING EXPERIENCE
GREENACRES SCHOOL, SCARSDALE NY
Full Time Tenured Teacher: K-5 General Music & Chorus, 2016-Current
Committee work: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion; Wellness; Ecological
Assessing and grading through creative and thought-provoking projects, performances, reading, and written assignments
Designing interdisciplinary projects using technology, creativity, and performance
Designing and implementing units cultivating creativity and ways in which to assess learning and foster its continuation
Teaching healthy vocal technique through choral singing
Teaching musicality and music literacy through choral singing
Preparing students for concerts and assemblies
Starting small choral ensembles for interested student
Collaborating, co-teaching with Lincoln Center Education
Continuing professional development through book studies, Reggio training: Scarsdale Teaching Institute
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL, BRONXVILLE, NY
Full Time Tenured Chorus Teacher (Grades 6-8) : 2008-2014
Designing interdisciplinary projects using technology, creativity, and performance
Assessing and grading through creative and thought-provoking projects, performances, reading, and written assignments
Designing and implementing units cultivating creativity and ways in which to assess and foster its continuation
Co-designing and implementing curriculum and repertoire for three choruses of approximately 80 singers
Organizing and implementing rehearsals of large groups and sectionals
Conducting occasional rehearsals and sectionals for high school students
Designing and implementing private voice instruction to high school students
Creating and implementing a music technology curriculum that includes computerized assessments
Teaching individual parts and harmony
Teaching healthy vocal technique through choral singing
Teaching musicality and music literacy through choral singing
Preparing students (grades 6-12) for choral festivals such as ACDA, All-County, All-State, NYSSMA Majors
Preparing students (grades 6-12) for solo festivals such as NYSSMA, including musical style, interpretation, language, and vocal technique
Full Time Tenured Drama Teacher (Grades 6-8), 2008-2014
Designed and implemented a series of exercises and experiences for beginners and more advanced theater students
Guided students to understand theatrical and acting terminology
Fostered an understanding of theatrical concepts through experiential exercises
Created activities to incorporate an initial understanding of how technical elements enhance a theatrical experience
Designed and implemented interdisciplinary projects to be theatrically presented
Fostering an understanding of observational skills within theatre
Designed and implemented projects studying written scripts and scene/monologue study
Helped prepare students (both middle and high school ages) for auditions and competitions
Assessing and grading students through a variety of criteria (participation, growth, written work, observation)
Collaborating with colleagues in working with students, lesson design, and lesson implementation as well as problem-solving particular challenges
Director and Music Director: Middle School Musical, 2009-2014
Choosing appropriate and engaging material for a fully produced theatrical production (Honk! Jr., 2009; Radio Mystery Theatre, 2010; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, 2011; Once on this Island, 2012, Guys and Dolls, 2013; 13, 2014)
Cast, organize, and rehearse (stage director, music director, occasional basic choreography) 50-60 students for a six-week period
Teach students (grades 6-12) technical elements of theatrical production to foster independent implementation of skills (approximately 15 students), including run crew, lighting crew, props masters, stage management, and directing
Complete lighting designs and teach students to operate equipment
Designed acting exercises to facilitate student character creation for the “play-within-a-play” aspect of Radio Mystery Theatre
Designed and wrote transitions for the original production Radio Mystery Theatre
Communicated with parents, producers, technical designers, pianists, choreographer, and school administration in the organization of full production
Procured space and coordinated with Technical Director of Sarah Lawrence College’s theatre space (13 The Musical, 2014)
RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE
TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York, NY
Student Teacher Supervisor & Cooperating Teacher, Department of Music, 2018 & 2021
Supervised three student teachers in their student teaching placements (MS/HS Choral placements)
Completed three formal observations with pre and post-observation meetings
Completed formal rubrics and informal feedback for students
Mentored students weekly through blog responses, phone calls, and site visits
Communicated with cooperating teachers and institutional professor regarding students’ progress
Completed a formal summative evaluation for each student at the completion of the semester
Working with and mentoring a student teacher through the semester to hone planning, classroom management, and professional skills
SCARSDALE STRINGS, Scarsdale & New York, NY
Director of Educational Administration, April-September 2015, Summer 2016
Designing and overseeing the implementation of comprehensive music curricula in New York City Schools
Infusing music curriculum with more traditional academic subjects to implement whole school reform
Observing teachers and offering pedagogical and administrative support
Fostering relationships between school administrators, parents, teachers, and students
CARNEGIE HALL TEACHING INSTITUTE, New York, NY
Freelance Educational Consultant, Online Resources, Spring 2011
Organized, cataloged, created spreadsheet of keywords/concepts/materials for online resources for music teachers
ESF CAMPS, Riverdale, NY & Greenwich, CT
Content Specialist, Musical Theatre, Summer 2014
Organizing, rehearsing, teaching, directing two sessions of Peter Pan to students ages 9-14
SALEM ACADEMY SUMMER SPOTLIGHT, Winston-Salem, NC
Performing Arts Instructor, Summer 2007
Created and implemented full curriculum for two two-week intensive sessions of Performing Arts for girls ages 13-17
Organized, staged, choreographed and rehearsed two performances of scenes, monologues, songs, and short original scenes at the culmination of each session
Facilitated the collaboration and creation of original work (short skits with the creative writing class and the performance of an original song)
Organized field trip to tour a local, professional theatre company’s space (The Steven’s Center)
Organized and taught private voice lessons
Served as camp counselor/Resident Advisor
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, 2008-CURRENT
NATS - Mentor Teacher Training Program (Fall 2016)
Social Emotional and Ethical Learning Course Completion (Emory University) (2022)
Workshop: Linda Lanteri Mindfulness and Resilience in Education
Workshop: Creativity and Young Children - Reggio Emilia method in young children’s educational development
Participation in elementary music education workshops (world drumming, resource sharing, introducing folk dancing, Kodaly method, choral conducting)
Participation and performance with Umbrian Serenades (a 30-voice a capella chorus) under the direction of Joseph Flummerfelt (Summer 2013)
Participating in conferences and workshops led by organizations such as ACDA, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Kodaly Organization of New York
Participating in, leading, and implementing information from book study groups such as Choke (Sian Belliock), Intellectual Character: What it Is, Why it Matters, and How to Get it (Ron Ritchhart), and How the Brain Learns (David Sousa)
WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES
TEACHERS COLLEGE, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY (2022)
Incorporating Social Emotional Learning into the K-5 General Music Classroom
Student teaching workshop
NEW YORK STATE SCHOOL MUSIC ASSOCIATION (NYSSMA, 2022-upcoming)
You DO Have Time: Practical SEL and SEE Resources for your K-5 Music Classroom
NYSSMA Winter Conference Workshop
PUBLICATIONS
Blackhurst, L. & Freeman, R. (2022). Healing our singers, healing ourselves - teaching social and emotional learning in choirs. Choral Journal, 62(9), 20-22.
Blackhurst, L. & Freeman, R. (2021). Healing our singers, healing ourselves - teaching social and emotional learning in choirs. ChorTeach, Choral Journal, 13(2).
Blackhurst, L. (2018). Teaching habits of mind in young choruses: adapting A Mindset for Learning to enhance the compulsory choral experience. ChorTeach, Choral Journal, 10(2).
Blackhurst, L (2021). Exploring the whole singing self with technique, contemplative education, and mindfulness.. (28540697) [Doctoral dissertation, Teachers College, Columbia University]. Proquest Dissertations Publishing.
AWARDS AND GRANTS
Scarsdale Teaching Institute, Curriculum Development Mini-Grant (Wellness and Music: Creating a Toolbox), 2017-2018.
Teachers College - Columbia University - Florence K. Geffen Scholarship, 2018-2019
Teachers College - Columbia University - General Scholarship, 2007-2008