October Teacher Spotlight: Stephanie Jones

Stephanie is the Director of Orchestras for the Mason City Schools where she currently teaches High School Orchestra and serves as the 7-12 Performing Arts Chair. Stephanie was hired to start the Mason Orchestra program in 2002 with eighty 6th grade students and it has since grown to over 1,100 students in 6-12 grades. Prior to teaching at Mason, Stephanie also started a string orchestra program in the West Clermont School District where she taught for four years. She received her Bachelor Degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance from Miami University and her Masters in Music in Conducting from Messiah University.

Stephanie first became acquainted with the Baroque Violin Shop as an orchestra student at Wyoming Middle School, just a few miles away. BVS has always shown tremendous support for teachers and orchestra programs which we are all so grateful for. In fact, it was a feasibility study initiated by Paul Bartel and Bob Culver that spurred the interest in both the Mason and West Clermont School Districts to start orchestra programs.

Rehearsal at Chicago Symphony Hall

Can you tell us about your school’s orchestra program?

The Mason Orchestra program began in 2002 with approximately eighty 6th grade students. Over the past 18 years it has grown into a robust program which serves over 1,100 sixth through twelfth grade Mason students every year who are co-taught by six fabulous string specialists. The Mason High School Orchestra program consists of 5 levels of orchestra in 6 different ensembles which include 3 levels of auditioned orchestras in addition to non-competitive ensembles for students of all ability levels.

The Mason High School Orchestras have been fortunate to receive recognition and be invited to perform at a variety of state and national events. Over the past ten years, they have had the honor of being invited to perform at Chicago’s Symphony Center (pictured), Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Lincoln Center in New York City, Cleveland’s Severance Hall, The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts, and The Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.  The orchestras have also worked in collaboration with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Barrage, Section Quartet, composer Roger Zare, and Time for Three.

What instruments do you play/teach?

My primary instrument is cello though you will often find me playing all of the stringed orchestral instruments while teaching in class. I have also played a variety of wind instruments when I was in high school and college, but it’s probably best if I don’t play them in public anymore! ;-)

How did your career in music get started?

I have always loved music and enjoyed singing and playing piano when I was young. I started playing the cello when I was nine years old and knew right away that was the instrument for me. I was always drawn to music and teaching but also had many other interest areas growing up. Music always had such a pull on my heart that it always brought me back and I knew that I had to share that love with others.

What’s your favorite song to perform?

There are so many - it’s really impossible to pick! The Bach Cello Suites are, of course, some of the most wonderfully timeless and beautifully complex cello music there is. To perform with an orchestra, probably Scherherazade or Beethoven Symphony #3, for sentimental reasons. To conduct, Tchaikovsky String Serenade would definitely be at the top of the list among many others.

What are some of your other hobbies?

I enjoy spending time outside with my family - hiking, biking, kayaking, and visiting beautiful places for vacation. We also have an extensive board game collection that keeps us busy when the weather isn’t as pleasant.

What has been your favorite moment as a teacher?

My favorite moments are when I get to witness my students succeed at something they didn’t at first think was possible. There have been so many of those special moments throughout the years that have been a true joy to witness!  Most recently would be the performance by our top two orchestras this past February at Chicago’s Symphony Center. It was a beautiful experience all around but the Mason Symphony Orchestra’s brilliant performance of Maracaibo by Eugene Friessen will forever be a highlight.

What do you find to be the best motivator for students?

I have always found that students are the most motivated when they feel connected to both the subject matter and to each other.  Building community and a culture of teamwork is so crucial to building rapport in an ensemble.  It is also important to both encourage and challenge our students to be their personal best and to enjoy playing music both for themselves and to share with others.

What are your future goals as a musician and teacher?

In the immediate future, I hope to encourage my students to use music as an outlet to help them navigate this challenging year and to enjoy music making no matter what it looks like right now. I also plan to always continue growing and learning in order to bring everything I can to my students so that we continue to share remarkable experiences together.

How are you managing the challenges dealt to your school and orchestra related to COVID-19? What opportunities do you see?

When the pandemic first hit in March, it was clear that music was a great comfort and outlet to people all over the world. At that time, we shifted our focus in our curriculum from the concert music that we had been working on, to making sure that students could use their voice through music to bring comfort. The challenge this year is unlike anything I have seen in my 23 years of teaching. Things are just going to be different this year and I am doing my best to remember to take everything day by day and do my best in that current circumstance, whatever it may be. We should continue to teach skills and techniques while meeting students where they are, but the most important objective right now is to allow students to enjoy making music and express themselves. We have a unique opportunity right now for our students to really understand the true power of music.