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Meet Meaghan Quigley, '12 • Music Education

Favorite memory at CMU

Performing at Carnegie Hall debuting Dan Forrest's "Jubilate Deo"

Additional Degrees

MA Music Education and Choral Conducting 

Current Position

Vocal Music Director at Denver School of the Arts

What do you do on a day-to-day basis?

Since we are an arts school, students audition to be placed in their "major" of choice every spring. As Department Head I have 107 vocal majors in grades 6-12. Because we are an arts school, we have a block schedule, but majors receive instruction for their major every single day, so I have my 8th grade Advanced SATB choir for 99 minutes every weekday and my HS Int. Treble Choir 99 minutes every weekday as well. My electives that I teach are show choir and an 8th grade musical theatre elective every other day as well.

What was your first position after graduation?

My first job after graduation was teaching P-5 elementary music and drama at Carson Elementary in Denver Public Schools. I then was a 4th grade teacher at Carlson Elementary for 2 years (the elementary school I graduated from) and the MS & HS Vocal Director at Clear Creek Middle/High School for 3 years where I was an alumna as well. 

How did your experience at CMU prepare you for your career?

The most beneficial thing I learned at CMU is that learning is what you make of it — so always invest your time and energy so that you get the best experience for yourself.

What was your transition like from being a student to your current career?

My transition into my career was seamless because of my excellent student teaching experience as well as my volunteering to work with and teach kids at every opportunity! I must say though, it was very stressful to get my CDE teaching license in time to start work for my job in January when I graduated in December — but everyone, including my former principal and CDE employees helped me as much as possible.

What advice would you give to incoming college students?

My best advice to students of any age is again — education is what you make of it. It really doesn't matter where you go to school or the prestige that institution carries, several years after you graduate all that will matter is your work and how it showcases you.