Craig Beery teaches music at Tappan Middle School, and Angell, Pattengill, and Lakewood elementary schools.
Beery grew up in the small Michigan town of Chesaning in Saginaw County, where he was a student in the Chesaning Union School District through high school. He started playing the saxophone in band class in 5th grade and studied piano at home around the same time.
In 8th grade, Beery started playing in his school jazz band and continued playing in concert band and jazz band throughout high school. In high school, Beery took private saxophone lessons and performed in various ensemble and solo events.
After graduating from Chesaning Union High School in 1996, Beery accepted a scholarship to study saxophone with Professor John Nichol at Central Michigan University. While attending CMU, he performed as a soloist at the North American Saxophone Alliance Conference and performed as a member of a saxophone quartet at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from CMU in 2000 and returned later for a Master of Music Education degree in 2008 from Central Michigan University.
Before teaching at AAPS, Beery taught band for five years at Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools and one year at Central Lake/Ellsworth Schools in northern Michigan. Outside of school, Beery enjoys keeping a saltwater aquarium and spending time with family.
“Craig is a thoughtful and dedicated educator who teaches at three elementary schools and co-teaches at Tappan Middle School,” says Kimberly Coulson-Mobley, AAPS Fine Arts and Special Programs Coordinator. “His calm demeanor and deep compassion make him a positive presence in any classroom. Even in challenging situations, he consistently remains composed and empathetic, reflecting the strength of his character. Above all, Craig prioritizes the needs of his students, ensuring their well-being and growth both during the school year and in our summer music program. His commitment to fostering a supportive and nurturing environment truly sets him apart.”
What inspired you to become an elementary school music teacher, and how long have you been teaching?
I became interested in teaching music after experiencing success performing with the saxophone and being in ensembles that performed at a fairly high level. It was an enjoyable experience to work toward something and follow through with performances. It is fun to see students excel and enjoy success on each instrument, especially in their younger years. I have been teaching for 22 years.
How do you manage teaching music across four different schools? What are the unique challenges and rewards of this approach?
I enjoy teaching at multiple schools. It is fun to be at multiple buildings in a day or a week, making the days and weeks go by very fast. Teaching at multiple schools allows me to experience different perspectives and gain new ideas from other teachers.
What musical instruments do you play, and how do you incorporate your personal musical skills into your classroom teaching?
My main instrument is the saxophone. Sometimes I will play along or demonstrate on other instruments. Explaining embouchure, hand position, and posture is very important in the beginning band class.
Can you describe a typical day in your life as a music teacher, moving between multiple school campuses?
This year I am usually at one school in the morning and a different school in the afternoon. One day a week I am at the middle school all day. Some years I might have three schools to go to in one day.
What’s your philosophy on music education for young children, and why do you believe music is important in elementary curriculum?
Reading and playing music in a band class setting is very challenging. It challenges our brains in different ways than any other class, it requires problem-solving and allows us to be creative and expressive.
What’s the most memorable musical moment you’ve experienced with your students?
In my first year at Ann Arbor, while at Huron High School, composer Jan Van der Roost came to work with the students and was part of our all-Van der Roost music concert in December 2009. This was a big event for us to work toward and the concert was excellent.
End-of-the-year concerts for beginners are always fun because they show all they have learned in their first year. Parents love to hear how the bands progress from year to year. In middle school, the Band Festival and/or Bands in Review concerts usually showcase the band playing at the highest level.
Who are your favorite musicians or bands that inspire you?
I enjoy listening to jazz music. Some of my favorite jazz saxophone players are: John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Sonny Rollins, and Joshua Redman, among others.
How do you keep music education engaging and fun for students who might not initially be interested in music?
Part of what makes learning music so fun is the small improvements that happen each week. It is exciting for students to learn concepts and be able to perform them each day. It is something that they recognize and have fun performing concepts they have just learned.
How do you support students who may be shy or hesitant about performing or participating in music activities?
Sometimes playing music is a great way for shy students to express themselves. They can express what they might find difficult to do with words or in other ways. They also play in groups with other students, not always by themselves.
If you could have dinner with any musician, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. Sax died in 1894 and the saxophone did not become popular and used extensively until years after his death. I would love to be able to show him what the saxophone has become and how people have used it and are using it today.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in music education?
Practice and try to achieve the highest level of musical performance for yourself. This will allow you to pursue the same level of performance for your students in the future.
What are you excited about these days?
I am excited for the opportunity to play music at every level. Each day can be exciting as students realize the growth and potential of their musical performance. Especially in the younger years of students playing in band class skills can be rapidly improved and this is exciting!
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