Waubonsie Valley High School
Naperville, Illinois
Music Education 

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.  

Impactful experience: 
I made my best memories at UofSC with opportunities to serve the School of Music community with my friends. This service included everything from leadership positions in student organizations to moving equipment before and after musical performances. I learned a great deal about communication, authentic leadership, and building a positive culture, and I will take all of these lessons with me as I begin my career in education. 

Enjoy most as a TS: 
I enjoy the support of the NFSP staff. Jan and Tim helped me immensely with the transition to college life and how to find my place in the world. I couldn’t have done all of this without them! 

Story: 
I chose to come to UofSC because I knew that I would have the support of my professors, advisers, and peers, no matter what I chose to do with my life. My professors helped me see that I didn't need to limit myself to one career area - they helped me arrive at the intersection of music, teaching, leadership, and behavioral psychology. My thesis director, Dr. Amanda Schlegel, helped me carve my Honors Thesis plans from this intersection: the application of developmental psychology theories to music teaching. I plan to live at this intersection for the rest of my career because I believe everyone should strive to make interdisciplinary connections between different areas of their lives. That is what makes the world interesting! 

Post-graduate plans: 
Kelley will serve as Director of Bands at West-Oak High School in Westminster, South Carolina, where she will oversee all aspects of the band program. 

Career goals/professional aspirations: 
I plan to teach music in public schools for some time before going back to school for a Master’s in Music Education. I will get more teaching experience before earning my Ph.D in Music Education and working as a music education professor and researcher.