Sara B.

Martin
111 Blacksmith Arch ● Yorktown, VA 23693
saramartin678@gmail.com ● 757-849-3180

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
- Dynamic middle school choir director dedicated to instilling a life-long passion for music in young
people
- Continually strives to mold students not only into fine musicians, but also into respectful and
respectable members of society
- Seeking a position teaching middle school or high school choir, or elementary general music

EDUCATION
 Kodály Certification Course: Levels I & II July 2017
Potomac Arts Academy at George Mason University – Fairfax, VA

 BME in Choral Music Education Degree with Honors May 2016

George Mason University - Fairfax, VA
o 3.95 GPA, Summa Cum Laude
o George Mason University Honors College
o Studied voice with Dr. Kathryn Hearden
o Studied piano with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Yorktown Middle School Choir Director August 2016 - present
 Prepared multiple concerts with quality literature from various time periods and styles
 Doubled participation in District Choir auditions and number of participants selected
 Served as music director for YMS Productions of Annie Jr. and The Wizard of Oz
 Oversaw several successful fundraisers – poinsettia sales, t-shirt sales, donation drive
 Coordinated with other staff members to bring together Celebration of the Arts event
 Led the YMS Choir to win Grand Champion with a Superior rating at Musicale Festival
 Taught Musical Stage Production course about singing, acting, and tech-theatre basics
 Encouraged student leadership with student choreographers and student led activities

Student Teaching
 Broad Run High School, Loudoun County - Jennifer Kauffmann March - May 2016
- Created and implemented engaging lessons
- Conducted and accompanied at Assessment and the BRHS Spring Concert
- Coordinated parent and student volunteers for the spring musical

 Laurel Ridge Elementary School, Fairfax County - Jan Smith January – March 2016
- Refined classroom management skills
- Prepared and led the LRES 5th and 6th grade choirs in singing the national anthem at
a GMU Women’s basketball game
- Independently taught and conducted an Orff piece at “Colonial Day”
- Coached students to prepare recorder, vocal, and violin pieces for performance

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

 Choral Scholars Program at Vienna Baptist Church February 2014 - May 2016
Provided support to the Chancel Choir through routine rehearsal leadership, conducted
the Chancel Choir, presented solo vocal literature and received coaching sessions with
VBC’s music minister.
  School of Music Choral Librarian at GMU January 2014 - December 2015
Responsible for organization and distribution of music, maintenance of library inventory
and online database, financial accountability records, and oversight of music rentals

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE

Professional Affiliations - Member
 Virginia Choral Society - Choir Member August 2017 – present
Soloist in first concert of the 2017 -2018 concert season
 Sigma Alpha Iota, International Music Fraternity for Women Dec. 2014 - present
Mu Epsilon Chapter Editor: 2015 – 2016
 American Choral Director’s Association September 2012 – present
Virginia State ACDA Voices United Conference Planning Committee: 2017 - 2018
Volunteer at ACDA Voices United Conference: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
GMU Chapter Historian: 2013 – 2014
 National Association for Music Education September 2012 - present
GMU Chapter President: 2014
GMU Chapter Vice President: 2013
 American Orff Schulwerk Association (MAC-AOSA) September 2015 – 2017

Professional Development Received

 American Choral Director’s Association Regional Conference 2016 & 2018
 Virginia Music Educators Association Conference November 2012 – 2017
 American Choral Director’s Association National Conference February 2015
 Orfeo Music Festival –Vipiteno, Italy – Piano Performance July 2014

AWARDS AND HONORS

 Yorktown Middle School Staff Spotlight Teamwork Award April 2017
 GMU School of Music Academic Achievement Award, Departmental Service May 2016
 Sigma Alpha Iota Sword of Honor May 2016
 George Mason Merit Scholarship 2012 - 2016
 Fairfax Spotlight on the Arts Scholarship September 2012
 Virginia Choral Society Scholarship June 2012

REFERENCES

 Robert Knowles
Assistant Principal
Yorktown Middle School
(757) 898 - 0591
rknowles@ycsd.york.va.us

 Dr. Lisa A. Billingham

Professor of Choral Music Education and School of Music Director of Graduate Studies
George Mason University
(703) 863 – 3487
lbillin1@gmu.edu

 CJ Redden-Liotta
Music Minister and Office Manager
Vienna Baptist Church
(202) 468 – 6259
cjreddenliotta@gmail.com