Every month, we like to spotlight one of our incredible Elemental Music teachers. Some of them have been teaching with us for close to a decade while others might be in their first year of working for our organization, but there is one thing that all of our teachers have in common: their dedication to the young musicians in our programs.
This month, we are featuring Early Childhood Music Director Sherry Luchette. Sherry is in her first season with our organization and has the very important role of crafting curriculum and leading our Early Childhood program. Participating in musical activities at an early age offers so many benefits and we are lucky to offer family music classes to the community under Sherry’s expert guidance and years of experience working with the youngest learners!
Elemental Music: How long have you been teaching for Elemental Music? Can you tell us a little bit about your history with the organization?
Sherry Luchette: I have been teaching at Elemental Music for just a few months. I came on board this summer in August of 2024. I actually saw the job opening for Director of Early Childhood earlier in the summer, but I didn’t apply right away. Something about the job description kept me thinking about it, though. I ended up applying and coming on board! I am getting a chance to meet a whole new group of fabulous music educators and musicians - it’s a great organization.
EM: Have there been any memorable moments in our classes or events so far?
SL: The babies and toddlers in the music class are truly adorable! I think seeing the little ones smile, moving to the beat and enjoying the music stands out to me. It's such a pleasure to teach them!
EM: You have a background in jazz – do you bring that into your early childhood music classes at all?
SL: Yes, I do. I have authored three book/CD sets that are all about integrating jazz activities into young child and elementary music curriculums. They are called “The Flying Jazz Kittens.” The books & CDs contain fun blues songs and activities that can be done with the youngest of students all the way through middle school. I have a few blues songs that I will be introducing in our family music class this year!
EM: Could you share a bit about what drives your passion for early childhood education?
SL: I really consider it a “calling” of sorts! I have always gravitated to taking care and playing with little kids. I used to babysit when I was a teenager, including watching my younger cousins. I’ve always had a vivid imagination (I call it thinking in “cartoon”) and I would come up with a story, game, or song that we would play together.
I think it’s fun to be expressive and come up with silly games and songs - it just works well with the little ones. I think the creativity of coming up with new activities to teach music is what drives my passion for early childhood education.
EM: How did you get started in music?
SL: My formal music training started quite late - I was almost 18 years old. Prior to that, I was what you would call a self-taught “ear player.” My mother played some piano, and I would hear her play songs and then go to the piano and figure them out. I joined the school band in fifth grade and played the flute. In middle school, I switched to the bass clarinet. In high school, I played tenor and baritone saxophone and then taught myself how to read bass clef and picked up the electric bass. I played electric bass for high school musicals around town and in church.
At the end of my senior year in high school, I met the bass professor at our local state university. He was the director of the jazz program and also taught classical double bass at the music school. I went to him for some private lessons on the electric bass. He taught me how to walk bass lines through the blues. He told me that I learned quickly and had a good swing feel and wanted to know if I wanted to study music. I told him that it was my dream to go to music school, but I didn’t have any formal training so there was no college that would accept me.
Fortunately for me, the bass professor took me under his wing. He told me I could play the double bass and be a music major at the university. He also said, “You are really behind and will have to take remedial theory classes, extra lessons, and work really hard to catch up…but I think you can do it!” So, I applied for early acceptance to the university, was given a school double bass and bow, and we started with classical bass lessons for the next two years. I really wanted to play jazz, but he wouldn’t let me until I had some classical training under my belt. I stayed for six years at the university to get my BM in music education.
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
SL: Oh, my! There are SO many favorite musical memories over the years in different contexts. I have great memories as a music teacher when a concert went absolutely exceptionally well. I’ve also had performances that were just so much fun and inspiring. I did have a chance to play bass for Adele’s 30th birthday party! That was a pretty cool moment.
EM: What inspired you to teach in addition to performing?
SL: When I was in college, I thought “Oh, I am never going to teach. I will only play my bass!” But, when I finished college and I was getting out into the world, I found out very quickly it wasn’t so easy to make a living by only playing your instrument. I started substitute music teaching at elementary schools in addition to playing gigs. I gravitated towards subbing for younger kids, and that led to more experience in elementary music teaching. Then, I got Kindermusik training - my first early childhood music education experience. That’s when I really became inspired! It was fun to work with the babies and toddlers. I found it creative to come up with additional songs and activities, create music camps for pre-schoolers, etc. I also loved teaching privately on bass because it was very satisfying to watch students improve and grow.
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
SL: Don’t ever give up, and don’t worry about what other people are thinking. I started my music journey late, and I didn’t come from a typical music background or go to a top music school. But, I found my way and have had great musical opportunities with great people, and you can too! Practice every day towards your goal, the turtle won the race! Slow and steady is the secret sauce.
EM: Is there anything else you'd like to add, that you think might be interesting for our community?
SL: I am always looking for ways to improve my musicality. I do ear training and theory exercises in the car every morning...no matter what!