Sara Gibson, M.A. Ed., is Director of Orchestras at Slauson Middle School. She brings extensive experience in music education and leadership, along with an active performing career as a cellist.
Before joining Ann Arbor Public Schools, Gibson spent 16 years as Director of Orchestras for grades 5–12 and 10 years as Department Chair of Music for grades K–12 in Washington Local Schools in Toledo, Ohio. During her time there, she was highly active in the Ohio Music Education Association.
Gibson is a member of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). She also serves as Curriculum Director and teacher for the Ypsilanti Youth Orchestra.
As a cellist, she has performed with various folk artists and an all-women’s rock band. She is a sought-after cellist for pit orchestras and studio recordings throughout northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
Slauson Principal Brandon Szwejkowski calls Gibson a wonderful music educator who brings in new music and modern approaches to teaching music and connecting with students.
“The most exciting thing to witness over the past few years is when Ms. Gibson allows students to compose and write their own music,” he says. “The students will then perform the music for families during the concerts. It has been a pleasure to watch and learn from both Ms. Gibson and the students.”
AAPS Fine Arts and Special Programs Coordinator Kimberly Coulson-Mobley calls Gibson “a quiet force.”
“She goes to work, does her magic, and the kids respond,” says Coulson-Mobley, adding that Gibson is always willing to help other teachers or quietly suggest a different approach that might work better. “She never pushes, but she has so much knowledge and experience that her suggestions always make sense. She is truly an exceptional person.”
Gibson resides in Ypsilanti with her adult twins, two cats, and her beloved dog, Ginger.
What’s the happiest part of your day?
Making a musical moment with each class or seeing/hearing the impact music has on a student’s day.
What first drew you to music, and to teaching it?
My parents exposed my brother and me to musical theatre, folk music, and church music. When the time came for us to choose an instrument in elementary school, I loved the sound of the cello and was given the opportunity to take private lessons, join honors orchestras, and play in the church praise band and pit orchestras for area high schools and community theatres. My mother was an amazing educator, so teaching is in my DNA, and I combined my musical skills with education.
What do you want most for your students?
My main goal is to enable my students to work hard and value the growth they show, regardless of the pace. I want them to feel confident, safe, and appreciated in class and beyond.
How do you prevent burnout?
Truly take time to rest. I have bodywork done twice a month, meditate and work on my breathing, continue to acknowledge the good things in life, and play music as much as possible.
Was there a teacher who had a particularly strong influence on your career? If so, what did you learn?
I had many wonderful teachers. The quality that stands out with all of them is the passion they bring to their subject. It’s almost like a salesperson. If students like what you are selling, they will engage in learning!
What’s the most challenging instrument to teach, and why?
They all have their idiosyncratic issues, depending more on the student than on the instrument. However, in our district, I would say the string bass might be the most difficult, as we have to recruit students, begin instruction in 6th grade or later, and differentiate instruction to meet their needs.
How do you help a student who’s struggling or wants to quit?
I always tell them it is okay to be fickle or to have interests in other things first. This helps them see that you won’t be mad at them for wanting to quit. Then I try to find the reason they want to quit. Most of the time, it may be a social issue with students in the class, or the pull toward other electives. As far as struggling, I differentiate instruction and grade skills at each student’s pace. Rarely do I have students quit because they are struggling.
What’s a moment from teaching that you’ll never forget?
Providing special performances for the students that you mention every year, and that they remember forever. For example, we perform “Rozin Eating Zombies From Outerspace” almost every fall. In 2010, my students loved it so much that they wrote a play to go along with it. Slauson 8th-grade Orchestra now performs this song and plays every year at the October concert and potluck.
Favorite podcasts, websites, apps:
True crime podcasts; IMO podcast with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson; the Orchestra Teacher Podcast with Dr. Charles Laux; and YouTube for my favorite musicians, true crime, health, and documentaries.
Favorite CDs?
CDs that musicians selected for me to add cello tracks. Check out this YouTube playlist: Sessions with Sara
What piece of music are you most excited to have students perform this year?
Orchestra Night pieces. I haven’t selected quite yet. I am waiting to see how the group sounds and what music they are passionate about playing before I choose.
How has orchestra education changed since you started teaching?
Social media and its effect on social-emotional learning. Mostly all to do with technology. The strain on the educational system has also changed. Never have I ever had to work this hard for so many students. COVID was a huge factor in the development of the current middle school students.
What have you changed your mind about recently?
Not purchasing new windows for my house.
What do you wish more people understood about music education?
That music classes are a human connection that is missing in society. We build community and form friendships in the orchestra that sometimes become lifelong. Students may also discover a career opportunity in music that they never knew existed until they were introduced to it.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give a student who’s nervous about performing?
Practice to be 150% so that you give a 100% performance. The more prepared, the less nervous. Record and watch back, play for peers, relatives, or teachers. Also, bananas.
What instrument(s) do you play, and what’s your favorite piece to perform?
I can play violin, viola, cello, nass, guitar, piano, and some percussion. If forced, I can play trombone, euphonium, and tuba fairly well. I love playing cello with guitar, especially with my friends Mike Ward, Mike Gentry, and Linden Thoburn. My favorite performance has been playing cello in the pit for “Mary Poppins” numerous times. My favorite orchestral piece is Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Nimrod movement. I have arranged this piece for eight cellos and would love to perform it with many of my cello colleagues one day.
What do you like most about teaching at Slauson in particular?
If you are nostalgic, Slauson is the place to be. Several legacy members of the string education world have come from Slauson. Elizabeth A. H. Green helped build the string program in AAPS and designed the music wing. She was followed by E. Daniel Long, who taught orchestra at Slauson for 40 years and still supports us today. The Golden Bear persona resides in everyone who attends or works at Slauson, and I am proud to be part of that community every day.
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