Bethany Robinson, Director of Noblesville HS Jazz 1, a 2021 and 2022 Essentially Ellington Finalist, discusses how she uses dynamic warm-ups and rehearsal techniques to build an exciting culture in all 6 of her bands, from beginning to advanced.
Bethany Robinson
- Biographical Information
Bethany Robinson, Director of Noblesville HS Jazz 1, a 2021 and
2022 Essentially Ellington Finalist, discusses how she uses dynamic warm-ups
and rehearsal techniques to build an exciting culture in all 6 of her bands,
from beginning to advanced. Bethany Robinson is a Yamaha Performing Artist, 2022 Grammy Music
Educator Award Finalist, NAfME Jazz Council Chair, President of the Indiana
Jazz Educators Association, and serves on the Jazz Education Network Board. She
began teaching in 2005 and is currently the Jazz Band Director and Assistant
Band Director for Noblesville Schools in Noblesville, Indiana. Since 2010, the
jazz program has expanded from 1 to 6 bands, and the top jazz ensemble has
qualified for the Essentially Ellington Jazz Festival in 2021 and 2022.
Robinson was the 2014 Indiana Jazz
Educator of the Year, 2015 Noblesville Teacher of the Year and was a 2016
Indiana Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist. She is a 2-time Lilly Teacher
Creativity Fellow, receiving grants to study jazz and culture in both the US
(2011) and Brazil (2019). Each spring, Bethany helps to lead Indiana Jazz Girls
Day, hosting workshops and side-by-side concerts for students around the state
of Indiana to elevate student leaders through jazz. Bethany was a keynote speaker
for the 2021 Australia National Band and Orchestra Conference and presenter for
the 2021 Indiana Music Educator Association.