In my life, there have been a great amount of teachers and people who have inspired me to become better at music or just at being a better human. Anyone who enters your life with the simple purpose of teaching you the right way of doing things, while also helping you to strengthen your talents and skills, is someone you want to be there for the rest of your life.
In my case, and now as the Conservatory Teacher of the Year nominations are under way, I have to talk about my Teacher of the Year, Jenny Wong. Being her first year here, I had reservations about having a new staff member as one of my first year teachers rather than someone who knew exactly what do and how to do it. But from the first time that I met her at my first choir audition, I knew that she was someone I could trust to do a good job. She was incredibly supportive of me and everyone she auditioned that day, and now, an entire school year has passed and now nobody can deny, Jenny is one of the best things that could have happened to any of us.
I know that personally, she has unlocked a lot of confidence I previously did not have musically. And never having sung in choir before, I have the confidence to sing loud and proud even though I may get things wrong probably 40% of the time, I know that she will never lash out or critique maliciously, she will only help in making everything I do as close as perfect as possible.
Not only is it the musical inspiration, but it’s also her way of teaching and connecting through her students. She acts in a very stern manner, that has none of the sternness in it, which is what I consider to be the perfect teaching style. She is firm in her mannerisms but light in her speech, giving us all the instructions, but doing none of the “instructing.” Her teaching has actually made me look forward to my Tuesday and Thursday 8:00 a.m.’s, something I never thought I’d say, let alone type. She inspires me every day to become the best I can be, even though I’m mostly unsure of myself in these times. I guess I can say the only thing I really dislike about her is that she makes me stand in choir more than I’d like, but that’s just an inconvenience.
At my last choir rehearsal, she informed us that she would not be returning for the next year, something we had all accepted as a possibility but dreaded. And when she told us, I was immediately, saddened, confused, even hurt because she was something I was really hoping would stay throughout my whole college experience, someone I could trust to be at an arm’s reach every morning when I started my real music education training and felt deprived of motivation, to be someone who could remind me of why I am even doing this in the first place. But she can’t be. And that was really hard for me to accept for a few hours, but then I had to think less selfishly. She got the job of her dreams, someone only a few people can do in their lifetime and I am so incredibly happy for her. And it’s not like she wouldn’t give me advice if I really needed it, at least I would hope (please Jenny I’m going to be so stressed out soon).
I think now that the year is coming to end, I’m afraid for what’s going to happen next year with the new choir director. He’s going to be entering in a territory of people who have experienced the love and inspiration of a very dedicated educator, and that’s very scary for anyone.
In short, thank you for all you’ve done Jenny, and thank you for helping me through my very first year of college, you are a fantastic educator and I’m so incredibly happy you are now doing the job of your dreams I cannot wait to watch you succeed in life and become the best in the world, because I know you can. Also I 100% bawled after rehearsal. The ugly cries were definitely there. Yeah, just, thank you.
With much love,
Hector
