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Teachers in perfect harmony

Teachers in perfect harmony

Teachers in Perfect Harmony

      Tonight is the night. The audience will be waiting in Yale’s Marquand Chapel at four o’clock whether she is ready or not, though of course she will be. She’s been practicing since she was a four year old girl in Ireland, sitting with the same piano teacher her mother had when she was a child. Her confidence, along with years of study and rehearsal, helps her relax and conserve the energy she’ll need to conduct her orchestra in just a few short hours. She decides to bake scones.

      On the other side of the world, another musician is preparing for the concert of a lifetime. She has just flown across the world to perform for an audience of 10,000. To get herself ready, the diligent musician is warming up the reeds she made for her oboe. After the pieces are perfectly fitted and ready, it’s practice, practice, practice until show time. Confident and methodical, she’s prepared to give it all she’s got.

      These two musicians, each incredibly disciplined and inspired, yet distinct in their approach to the craft, are music teachers at The Lewis School.

Hannah Carr, The Lewis School

Hannah Carr

      Hannah Carr grew up in Ireland and plays piano and organ. Leading up to a performance, you will likely find Ms. Carr indulging in some rest and rejuvenation, a tradition that dates back to her degree recital at the Yale Institute for Sacred Music. “I prepared by baking scones for the reception,” she said. “I think it is often better to relax before something like that, whenever possible.” Today Ms. Carr counts the Yale recital as one of her proudest achievements.

      Dr. Marie Trudeau is also a trained pianist, in addition to playing oboe, English horn and baroque oboe. Her knowledge and appreciation for her instruments began when she was ten years old. Unlike Ms. Carr, Dr. Trudeau was raised in a home without much music. “I had to discover it myself,” said Dr. Trudeau. She joined the school band playing the oboe and loved it from the start. The student-turned-professional musician recently returned from a whirlwind trip to perform in China. “The city spent $140,000,000 to light up the buildings in the background,” she said about the event. “The audience wanted pictures and selfies with us after.” To Dr. Trudeau, this experience was the most memorable of her career thus far.

Dr Marie Trudeau The Lewis School music teacher

Dr. Marie Trudeau

      Dr. Trudeau prepares for a performance by making reeds for her instrument. “I have to make my own mouthpieces for oboe,” she said. “It’s the most difficult part about the instrument and requires several hours each week. I warm up slowly and practice the parts. Making sure I’m solid in my own sound and part makes the entire orchestra better, like a team.”

      Ms. Carr and Dr. Trudeau joined Lewis in the Fall of 2017 and the Spring of 2018, respectively. Along with teaching music during the day and leading choir after school, they have conducted and contributed to several performances in their time at Lewis.

      “I want my students to discover that there is more to music than what they hear on the radio,” said Dr. Trudeau. “I want them to get a full perspective of what music has given to humanity in a broader historical context.” Ms. Carr is eager to teach the students the importance of studying and practicing. “The process can often be more enjoyable than the product,” she said. In order to be a successful music student, “a love of music is most important,” according to Ms. Carr. Dr. Trudeau echoes that same sentiment, advising students to “listen often and to a lot of music!”

      Both teachers see the potential in their students. “Every student at The Lewis School has music ability,” said Dr. Trudeau. “I’ve seen it! And they inspire me every day.” One such student is Sammy Kravitz, who will join Ms. Carr’s beloved womens’ choir when they perform in Hoboken, New Jersey mid-December. Sammy will join as the choir’s professional musician.

      When they are not practicing, teaching or performing, Ms. Carr loves to cook, paint, and relax with her new baby. You might find Dr. Trudeau at the beach, exercising or spending time with her two orange cats.

      Two musicians, both with nearly a lifetime of exposure and practice, each incredibly disciplined and inspired, yet uniquely distinct in their approach to the craft. Their journeys have led them both to The Lewis School where they are like two separate notes working together to create a beautiful harmony for their students.

53 Bayard Lane
Princeton, NJ 08540

Voice: (609) 924-8120
Fax: (609) 924-5512

© The Lewis School of Princeton

“Dyslexia: Unwrapping the Gift”

“Dyslexia: Unwrapping the Gift”

Topics and Trends in Education: A neuroscience based seminar presented at The Lewis School.

The Lewis School of Princeton presents monthly neuroscience-based seminars on topics that have an impact on children who learn differently.

Join us in a panel discussion as we meet four former Lewis students from various walks of life and in different stages of their careers.  How has their understanding of dyslexia changed with time and experience? How has dyslexia been an advantage for them? 

December 5, 2018
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
The Lewis School

53 Bayard Lane
Princeton, NJ 08540

Voice: (609) 924-8120
Fax: (609) 924-5512

© The Lewis School of Princeton

Scare Away Hunger

Scare Away Hunger

Scare Away Hunger: A student initiated service project

Upper School student, Sheridan Durant, had a wonderful idea: “We could Trick or Treat in reverse!” Her original idea was to round up students to walk through the Princeton neighborhood in costumes on Halloween – but instead of asking for candy, they would ask for canned foods to be donated to the local pantry. This idea morphed into something a bit safer, but still in keeping with the spirit of service. The Scare Away Hunger project asks the Lewis community to bring canned foods between Halloween and Thanksgiving. Her goal is to create a “Great Wall of Cans” that, when brought down, would open up possibilities to children who are hungry during this season of plenty.

What was Sheridan’s inspiration? “Like most kids, I love Halloween. It is a really fun time of pumpkin carving, picking out a costume…and who doesn’t love free candy?” she asks. “But as happy as this time of year makes me, it also makes me think of the kids who don’t even get to eat real food, let alone candy.”

It is this spirit of service to others that reminds me of the words of Mother Teresa: “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” From the heart of one student, let us bring food to the table of a hundred children. – Chantra Reinman

UPDATE: After one month of collecting canned goods, Sheridan was able to bring the donations to two food shelters in the Princeton area: The Jewish Family and Children’s Services and Arm-in-Arm. Delighted at the large donation, they said, “The food will keep us stocked for close to a month!” It always begins with just one.

53 Bayard Lane
Princeton, NJ 08540

Voice: (609) 924-8120
Fax: (609) 924-5512

© The Lewis School of Princeton