Teacher Feature: Laurie Orth

• Laurie Orth
• Posted 6/11/21
• 0 comments

Get to know our authors.  In our  ”Teacher Feature,” you will not only learn about our contributors’ 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. 

Music and STEAM education pioneer Laurie Orth (she/her) is passionate about creating a pipeline for young people into STEAM through music.  With over two decades teaching, in 2012 she began her own entrepreneurial business, teaching general music classes to homeschoolers.   Currently, she is an independent contractor at the Jessye Norman School of the Arts in Augusta, GA, teaching music at Challenge Prep Academy. She presented her space-themed music curriculum at NAFME’s National Conference in Washington D.C. in November 2022. Laurie’s outreach continues to grow with her YouTube channel, Laurie Orth Music Teacher. 

Laurie Orth can be reached at laurie@laurieorth.com for inquiries or to schedule professional development workshops on ZOOM. 

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

How did you end up becoming a music teacher?  

From the age of 7,  through high school and college, I’ve had hundreds of private lessons, for piano, bassoon and voice.  The teacher/student relationship was very familiar to me, and when I finished my undergraduate degree in vocal performance, I began teaching voice lessons at a high school.  That led to a few children’s choir gigs, my own voice studio, and then I went back to school to get my Master’s degree in Music Education.  I didn’t start teaching general music in a school until 13 years later, when my kids were older.   

Did a teacher influence your decision to enter education?  

I’ve had many wonderful teachers in my life, and they have inspired me in my own education journey and career.  My family is full of teachers as well.  My great grandmother taught in a one room school house in Texas, my grandmother taught kindergarten in her home for 30 years, my mom taught piano for 40 years, my dad got a degree in music education before entering the USAF, and my sister teaches elementary general music as well.  It’s in our genes. 

What inspires you to share your experiences with other teachers?  

When you have that “a-ha” moment, and find something new that works well, you naturally want to share it with others.  

What is your favorite music teaching moment?  

This memory is pretty amazing and touching.  Get ready:  I was preparing my students to sing at church on Christmas Eve.  There were two brothers who were so excited to be a part of the children’s choir, singing in the choir loft for the very first time.  Their mom contacted me on the morning of Christmas Eve to say their little sister, who was not in my choir, had contracted lice. It broke my heart to tell her that the boys could not sing with the children’s choir that night.  Those two sweet boys wanted to sing so badly they asked their dad to buzz cut/shave their heads so they could sing in choir anyway.   

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

Being a teacher requires being a good listener, and a good observer of your students, whether they are young people or adults.  Just because something comes easy to me doesn’t mean it will come easy to my student.  It is my job to arrange for their success by showing them how to practice, and by giving them the time to figure it out for themselves, through guidance, diligence, encouragement, and praise.  

How do you deal with stress?  

I nap.  It reboots my brain.   I practice deep breathing if I’m about to go on stage to sing or do public speaking, even if it’s on ZOOM.  I exercise and go on walks with my husband and our dogs. 

Fun Facts About Laurie   

What is your favorite food?  

My favorite comfort food is sausage and sauerkraut slow cooked in the crock pot served, on mashed potatoes. 

Do you have any pets?  Tell us about them.  

We have 2 rescued dogs, Lily and Talia.  They are fawn colored and getting white around their muzzles.  They are super sweet, although Talia can be very protective of us,  and they have learned how to beg effectively.  They have made cameo appearances in my YouTube videos as my Space Dogs. 

What is your favorite style of music to listen to?   

Just like eating Cheetos, you can’t have just one.  There is not one favorite but many different genres: Prince, STYX, Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, Queen, The Beatles, choral masterworks, blues, salsa, jazz, gospel, Chicago Mass Choir, Gregorian chant sung by the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles.  It’s all over the map. 

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

I have recently discovered Kombucha tea.  Love it.  I’m a coffee drinker in the mornings. 

What is your favorite book?  

Packing for Mars by Mary Roach 

If you could be a superhero, who would you be and why?  

Elastigirl from The Incredibles.  She goes out and saves the world, does what needs to be done, while keeping her “Mom” hat on. 

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