The Faculty Conference has been in a process these of reviewing each aspect of the Hartsbrook program. We formed a music committee and identified the need for a full-time music teacher who would teach throughout the school and coordinate the various parts of the program into one cohesive whole. We were intrigued earlier this year when a highly qualified Waldorf-trained music teacher applied for the part-time choral position. We decided to address this strategic need and hire a full-time music teacher. We are pleased to announce that Melanie Whitney will be joining us in September as a full-time music teacher. Our current adjunct faculty will remain teaching strings, music appreciation, and middle school chorus while the new teacher will teach music to grades 1 through 5 and chorus and a cappella in the High School. Introducing Melanie Whitney Melanie has been working since 2004 as a choral director, singing voice specialist, general music teacher, and music theory instructor. She holds a BM in Music Education from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and a certificate of Waldorf Music Education from the Sunbridge Institute in Chestnut Ridge, NY. Music has always been a driving force in Melanie’s life and she is so immensely grateful for the meaningful and connective experiences she has been afforded because of its many gifts. She began conducting choirs as a high school student. Since then, she has maintained a private voice studio, taught music in public and private school classrooms, and has gained experience with grade levels spanning from pre-k to grade 12. Most recently, Melanie served as the Head of the Music Department, director of festivals, grades 1-5 music teacher, and member of the Teacher Leadership Committee at a Waldorf-methods Charter School in Fogelsville, PA called Circle of Seasons. Contributing to an educational system she believes in is extremely important to her. Being gifted the privilege to practice Waldorf education freely alongside like-minded individuals has been liberating and deeply fulfilling. Melanie is a constant seeker of knowledge and enjoys learning from her students and colleagues. She is very eager to begin serving the students, teachers, and families in the Hartsbrook community.