Teacher Feature: Brianna Duvall

• Brianna Duvall
• Posted 4/2/21
• 0 comments

Get to know our authors. In our “Teacher Feature,” you will not only learn about our authors’ professional endeavors but also get to know them as humans too. Just like our readers – our authors are actively teaching in schools across the United States.

Brianna Duvall is a music educator and performer from Southern Maryland, where she has taught Early Childhood Music, K-5 General Music, and Beginning String Orchestra. Brianna holds a Bachelor of Music Education from West Virginia University.  
 
She is an award-winning flutist, a co-founder of the Potomac Flutes, an extracurricular activity for flute students to participate in workshops, masterclasses, and flute choir performances. She is also on staff for Flute Magic! Intensive Course, and she performs with The Flute Choir of Southern Maryland. She has performed at the International Flute Symposium, the National Flute Association Convention, the Mid-Atlantic Flute Fair, the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition, and more. 
 
Brianna recently started a blog, singingwithbri.com, to exchange ideas with other music educators. 

Here are some other interesting facts we learned about Brianna…. 

How did you end up becoming a music teacher?  

I’ve known for a really long time that I’ve wanted to make a career out of music, but I didn’t really know that I wanted to be a teacher until I applied for college – and even then, I was still on the fence.  In fact, for a long time, I said that I would never want to be a teacher!  However, I love kids, and I love making music, so after having a few field experiences in college that I really enjoyed…it was a no-brainer. 

Did a teacher influence your decision to enter education?  

I’ve had many incredible music teachers that have absolutely inspired me to be a music teacher.  A couple stand out in particular.  In elementary school, there was a teacher named Mrs. Sweeney who taught beginning strings.  I wasn’t in her class, but my friends were.  She took me under her wing and let me spend my recess time with her!  I’ve said for a while now that if I can be half the teacher that she is, I will consider my career to be a huge success.  My high school band director, Mr. VanDyke, also played a huge role in my wanting to be a music teacher.  He always made sure that I had valuable and challenging experiences and opportunities to become a better musician and a better person. 

What inspires you to share your experiences with other teachers?  

I spent my first few years teaching, tracking down other teachers on the internet with ideas because I needed as many ideas as I could get!  I’m now at a point where I’m comfortable with my own ideas, and I want younger teachers to have access to as many options as possible! 

What is your favorite music teaching moment?  

I think one of the sweetest moments I’ve experienced so far was when a 5th grader cried on the last day of music because she was sad that I wouldn’t be her teacher anymore.   

What has been the biggest surprise/revelation about being a music teacher?  

When I first started teaching, I think I was stuck in the mindset of “kids are just kids, they can only do so much” – but my students surprise me with what they’re capable of every day!   

How do you deal with stress?  

I go outside!  If I could spend every day of my life in the mountains, I would be a happy girl! 

Fun Facts About Brianna    

What is your favorite food?   

Dessert!  I have a huge sweet tooth. 🙂 

Do you have any pets?  Tell us about them.   

I have a 3 year old Alaskan Malamute/German Shepherd mix named Sasha!  She is a sassy ball of fluff that loves to spend her time outside napping on the porch.  

What is your favorite style of music to listen to?   

Oh boy.  That changes with my mood, pretty much daily!  Some days I’m listening to A Cappella, other days it’s showtunes or heavy metal!  I don’t know that I have a favorite, I try to listen to as much music as I can! 

What is your favorite school appropriate beverage – are you a cola or coffee drinker?  

I love a mug of plain old black coffee to get me moving in the morning! 

What is your favorite book?  

This is a hard question!  When I’m reading for leisure, I gravitate towards autobiographies.  I love reading about other people’s experiences.  As a music teacher, though, it’s either “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams or “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. 

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know Brianna as much as we have.  Make sure to check out her articles below.