PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
International music educator and performing arts leader with extensive K-12 experience in an International Baccalaureate school context. Current Head of Performing Arts, IBMYP/DP Music teacher, concert band director, IBDP Music examiner, and Chair of iMADSZ. Professional interests include curriculum development, intercultural and culturally responsive music education, collaborative international-school arts initiatives, concert band pedagogy, and the development of independent musicianship across secondary music programs.
ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL APPOINTMENTS
International School of Nanshan Shenzhen (ISNS), China
Head of Performing Arts | 2015-Present
Provides leadership for school performing arts programming, curriculum development, ensemble opportunities, concerts, and cross-department initiatives.
• Supports development of coherent learning experiences across secondary Performing Arts and International Baccalaureate pathways.
IB MYP & DP Music Teacher | 2016-Present
Responsible for secondary music curriculum planning, unit and assessment design, and instruction within the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme.
• Designs learning experiences integrating musical inquiry, research, analysis, creating, performing, and reflection.
K-12 Music Teacher | 2011-2016
Taught elementary and secondary music through approaches including Orff, Kodály, Dalcroze, music appreciation, songwriting, music technology, and instrumental pedagogy.
Personal Project Supervisor | 2020-Present
Mentors students through the development of independent, inquiry-based projects, supporting goal setting, research, planning, reflection, and evaluation throughout the Personal Project process.
Guides students in applying ATL skills, documenting their learning process, and developing projects that demonstrate sustained inquiry, independent learning, and meaningful personal engagement.
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) Coordinator | 2022-Present
Provides leadership and oversight of the IB CAS Program, supporting students and faculty in developing meaningful experiences and projects aligned with CAS learning outcomes.
• Guides students through the CAS process while coordinating faculty advisors, monitoring student progress, and supporting reflection, documentation, and successful completion of programme requirements.
Band Director | 2012-Present
• Developed and lead a three-level after-school concert band program: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
• Designs sequential instrumental learning experiences and ensemble opportunities for developing musicians.
PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP
Chair of iMADSZ | 2025-Present
Executive committee member since 2015, elected Chair in 2025. International Music Art Drama Shenzhen (iMADSZ) is a group of accredited international school teachers working in the arts who collaborate by professional development opportunities, job-a-likes, student-centred festivals, curriculum support, and pedagogy.
EXAMINING & ASSESSMENT
IB Diploma Programme Music Examiner | 2023-Present
International Baccalaureate
• Contributes to external assessment for two DP Music components: Exploring Music in Context and Experimenting With Music.
CURRICULUM & PEDAGOGICAL EXPERTISE
• IB Middle Years Programme Music and Diploma Programme Music
• Secondary music curriculum design and assessment
• Musical inquiry, research, analysis, creating, performing, and reflection
• Concert band program development and instrumental pedagogy
• Music technology and contemporary music-making
• Intercultural and culturally responsive music education
• Teacher collaboration, professional learning, and international-school arts networking
EDUCATION
Master of Education (MEd), Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning Studies | 2023-2027
Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
Bachelor of Music Education (BMusEd) | 2006-2011
University of Prince Edward Island
CERTIFICATES
ACAMIS Curriculum Leadership - April 22, 2018
IB DP Theory of Knowledge - Cat 2 - Nov 10, 2017
IB Delivering the MYP Curriculum in the Arts - Cat 2 - Oct 2, 2017
IB MYP Global Contexts for Teaching & Learning - Cat 3 - Nov 11, 2016
IB TOK for Subject Teachers - Cat 3 - March 14, 2015
IB DP Concepts and Inquiry in the DP - Cat 3 - Nov 14, 2015
IB DP Understanding the DP - Cat 3 - Nov 14, 2014
IB DP Music - Cat 1 & 2 - Nov 3, 2014