Programme Leader
MA Arts Pedagogy And Practice
School of Creative Industries
9 April 2015
Tell us a little about yourself – which country do you come from and how did you come into the teaching profession?
I am from Dayton, Ohio, in the United States. Dayton is also the birthplace of Wilbur and Orville Wright, Rock and Roll star Rick Derringer, Jazz Guitarist John Scofield, and the home of the National Air Force Museum. I moved from Dayton to Columbus, Ohio in 1990 to attend The Ohio State University. I remained in Columbus until July 2013, when our family moved to Singapore. My Bachelor of Music Education, Masters, and PhD are all from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
I entered college as an orchestral tuba performance major and continued on the performance track after I moved to a music education focus. I discovered my love of teaching during my time at The Ohio State University. I graduated at 21 years of age and immediately went into the teaching profession while continuing to perform full time. I taught for 20 years before moving to Singapore.
What made you decide to come to Singapore, and why LASALLE?
Singapore is a dynamic country with a large arts community. I felt that being a part of the LASALLE team would put me closer to the epicenter of the artistic community. My background in education became a good fit with LASALLE's need for someone to manage the MA Arts Pedagogy and Practice programme.
You have been with LASALLE for about a year, how has your experience living and working in Singapore and LASALLE been so far?
Living in Singapore and working at LASALLE have both been rewarding for me and my family. I am continually amazed by the creativity and genius of those I work with at the College, as well as those in the arts community of Singapore.
What is one quality in you that you find most 'Singaporean'?
Singaporeans have been friendly and welcoming to me and my family since our first day on the island. I hope to share these traits with those I work with at LASALLE and as well, my students, and those in the greater arts community of Singapore.
Read more about Kie here.
