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String Project teachers gain valuable teaching experience through working with their local String Projects. Former Texas Tech University String Project teachers are making an impact on string education far and wide!

• Hannah Martin (2021-2022) is freelancing and teaching in the Houston area.
• Joseph Jung (2021) is teaching orchestra in the San Antonio area.
• Laura Abundes (2019-2022) is student teaching strings and elementary in Irving ISD.
• Neil "Braxton" Braly (2019-2021, 2022-present) is a graduate student in music education at Texas Tech University.
• Natasha Montzka (2019-2021) is teaching elementary and middle school orchestra for the Forest Lake Area Schools in Forest Lake, MN.
• Caroline Glasscock (2019-2021) is student teaching in Humble ISD (orchestra).
• Vance Nelson (2019-2020, 2021-present) is a graduate student in music education at Texas Tech University.
• Carissa Kissick (2018-2022) is student teaching strings and elementary in Clear Creek ISD.
• Rodrigo Pessoa de Almeida (2018-2019) is teaching orchestra in Anchorage, AK.
• Anna Kim (2017-2022) is student teaching strings in Allen ISD.
• Elena Sanchez (2017-2021) is student teaching in Fort Worth ISD (orchestra).
• Rong Chen (2017-2019) graduated from Texas Tech University with a Masters in Music Education and has returned to China to teach strings.
• Enid Guerrero (2017) is teaching orchestra in Brazosport ISD.
• Clara Bezemek (2016-2021) is student teaching in Spring Branch ISD (elementary and orchestra).
• Natalie Rosales (2016-2020) is teaching elementary music at Stewart Elementary School in Lubbock ISD.
• Ilse Puente (2016-2018) is a graduate student and teaching assistant in the Music Therapy program at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.
• Hannah MacGillivray (2016-2017) completed a DMA in Double Bass Performance at TTU and serving as an adjunct music instructor at Amarillo College.
• Nectaria Delgadillo (2016-2017) completed a Masters of Cello Performance at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
• Brittany Hoff (2016) is pursuing a Masters of Viola Performance at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, TX.
• Nikit Desai (2015-2018) is an orchestra teacher at Centennial HS in Frisco, TX.
• Heather Lambert (2015-2018) is a graduate student in Violin Performance at University of North Carolina-Greensville.
• Kathy Ngo (2015-2018) is an orchestra teacher at Carpenter MS in Plano, TX.
• Leonel Garza (2015-2017) is Director of Orchestras at Coronado HS in Lubbock, TX.
• Adrian Barnes (2015-2016) is the Assistant Professor of Music Education at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.
• Laurie Colgrove Williams (2015-2016) is Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Indianapolis.
• Shabria Ray (2015) is a private violin and viola lesson instructor in the Dallas area.
• Candace Casarez (2014-2016) is an orchestra teacher at Piner Middle School and Dillingham Intermediate School in Sherman, TX.
• Oryana Racines Smokvic (2014-2015, 2017-2018) graduated with a DMA in Violin Performance and spent the summer as a Teaching Fellow at Interlochen.
• Marvin Garduno (2014-2015) is an orchestra teacher at the Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy in Grand Prairie, TX.
• Erin Weber (2014-2015) is adjunct violin faculty at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX.
• Victoria Lien (2013-2016) is an orchestra director at Fowler Middle School in Frisco, TX.
• Bryan Fleming (2012-2015) is currently teaching Suzuki at Roscoe Wilson Elementary in Lubbock, TX and is returning to Texas Tech University to pursue a Masters in Educational Psychology.
• Michael Graber (2012-2014) is currently an orchestra director at Dowell Middle School in McKinney, TX.
• Jeremy Couture (2012-2014) is currently completing a Bachelor's in Cello Performance and will begin a Masters in Cello Performance Fall 2017.
• Zach Gonzalez (2011-2015) is an orchestra director at Ronald Reagan Middle School in Garland, TX.
• Aaron Gemoets (2004-2008) is currently teaching orchestra at Flower Mound HS in Flower Mound, TX.
• Beau Garza (2002-2005) is the head orchestra director at Legacy HS in Midland, TX.
• Katie (Pidgeon) Eakes (2001-2005) is currently teaching strings with the Anchorage School District in Anchorage, AK.
• Liz (Malone) Balkema (2001-2004) is currently teaching and is the Director of Orchestras at Heritage High School in Frisco, TX.
• Laura (Felton) Flanagan (2001-2003/2019-2020) completed a Masters in Music Education and is now pursuing a PhD in Fine Arts with an emphasis in musicology with a teaching assistantship at Texas Tech University.
• Hector Aguero (2001-2002) is currently the Director of Band and Orchestra at Willamette University in Salem, OR.

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