Unknown: I grew up in Jayla West Virginia, which is a very small town, even though we were very isolated.

We had a very rich life there.

My family had a piano.

And I play by ear.

I also had a lady in town that did shows with us and taught down some different things with the children in the community.

Music Education seemed to be a good path for me, because it came naturally.

My mother had a philosophy that you should get your master's degree before you get married, she researched where I could get a master's degree in a year, and Illinois offered that in the music education department at that time, and I came to Champaign and consequently stayed.

I started at WestView school and then went to bottom field.

Maybe because I did get to perform as a child in this little town, I remembered that and I thought it was important for children to perform, and particularly at the elementary level.

For some of those children, that is the only time that they get to perform.

I had a choral conductor that I have great admiration for, say to me, they really don't remember all the music education that you taught them, they remember the programs.

Part of the trick is to pick music, that people like the kids like that your choir members like when the school would go to the gym for an assembly we sang.

Those moments are very meaningful to me.

And kids learning literature like that is important.

voices are powerful.

Singing is powerful.

The communication of text is powerful.

I always like to create things.

I look forward to that ability to create every year.

CIYC was founded by Carolyn Pollan.

When she left she asked me to take the choir, I realized I was going to be that one person that was here.

And that could keep the organization on track, and be able to hire these wonderful conductors.

We start with the music makers.

And then when those children get to be around third grade, they get to move into concert choir.

And then as sixth graders, they will go into chamber choir where the skill level is quite high.

The Children's Chorus has always had amazing opportunities with the operas we've done major works this year with COVID is the hardest year have ever had.

I have been deaf in my left ear basically all my life.

My daughter and Marie conducts the concert choir.

I pretty much just accompany and I let her do her thing with the music makers next year.

It is Mrs. Bullies hope that you will come back.

We won't have to wear a mask.

We can speak together and sing together.

I don't think about my legacy that much.

I do know that.

teachers all over are touching the hearts and lives of kids all the time.

I hope that my legacy would be that the children that I have taught love music