Meet the Music Teacher

Kristin Farrell

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My love for music started at a very young age when I began Mrs. Farrellto sing at my church during services.  At age ten, I knew that I wanted music to be my career and over the next several years I involved myself in many musical activities to prepare me for a career in music.

I grew up in Baltimore County and attended Bear Creek Elementary School until the middle of my fifth grade year.  My parents then decided to put me in a K-12 private school in Perry Hall as they felt it was best for me and my sister.  I was heavily involved in the chorus and band at the school and took private voice lessons to prepare me for college.  I was accepted to Lee University, a college in Tennessee that is an hour west of Knoxville.

 

I graduated from Lee University in May 2009 with a degree in vocal music.  I had many wonderful opportunities to perform during my four years there, including a summer tour to Italy with my Chorale.  We sang at very prestigious cathedrals such as the Vatican and St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice.  I moved back to Baltimore after graduation to get married to my high school sweetheart and to begin my career.  I was unable to find a full time job in music since I did not have an education degree.  I accepted a full time position at a mortgage company and worked there for two years before I decided to go back to school.

 

In 2011 I realized how much I loved teaching children.  I was very involved in teaching the children at my church and decided to go back to school for my teacher certification.  I received my teaching certification in May 2013 and started my teaching career at Timonium Elementary in August 2013.  In August of 2017 I received my Masters in Music Education from Towson University.

 

Teaching music is a passion of mine and I love being able to share my knowledge with the students.  I learn and grow from them as well and think it is important that I am a facilitator of knowledge and encourage students to learn and grow at their own pace.  Music focuses on creativity and collaboration and I want students to develop their own understanding and use their creativity to solidify music concepts.  In my classroom students sing, dance, play, explore, create, analyze, perform and think critically! Music is a powerful tool and I want the environment in my classroom to be welcoming, fun and successful for all students!


Christine Skeen 

Hello! I started as a teacher at Timonium Elementary in the 2017-2018 school year, but that was not my first time here! I was a student at TES! After Timonium, I went to Ridgely Middle School and Dulaney High school.  My instrumental music teacher at Timonium gave me my very first percussion lessons and I have loved playing ever since. I can’t wait to pay it forward by giving my students amazing musical experiences and skills that will last their whole lives.

 

I graduated from Bucknell University in 2017 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and a minor in French. I teach percussion in the area and have experience performing and working with drum lines, jazz bands, orchestras, wind ensembles, rock bands, musicals, and an a cappella group! I have the pleasure of teaching instrumental music and vocal music to my favorite musicians (TES students). I hope to help students discover how music will fit into their lives as they grow up and do great things.