Kelsey Wessels

kelsey.wessels@providenceacademy.org | Online Portfolio | kelsey.wessels.weebly.com

Education:
James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA
B.M. in Music with a concentration in Voice and Education 2015-2018
B.A. in History 2013-2017
Current GPA: (3.512)
Cumulative GPA (3.330)

Research/Work Experience:
Admissions Associate
Providence Academy – Plymouth, MN August 2021 – Present
I welcome new families into Providence by giving tours, planning and executing open house events,
running entrance exam days, and having effective communication over the phone or through email. I
intake new inquiries and all applications to the school, and collaborate with not only the admissions team
but other faculty and staff to develop a welcoming environment for future students and families. I manage
the front office, send out informational packets, prepare entrance assessments, and greet all who come
through our door. This role has also allowed me to keep my foot in the music room as an occasional
substitute when needed in the building in both the Lower and Upper schools.

Family Nanny
Greg & Elizabeth Horvitz – Plymouth, MN August 2020 - October 2021
Performed housekeeping duties, such as preparing nutritious meals, cleaning laundry, tidying bedrooms,
dusting and sanitizing play areas. Engaged with children to create nurturing, safe environments to
promote emotional, social and intellectual growth. Developed lasting, professional relationships with
families by encouraging open communication and delivering positive feedback. Went on family vacations
to provide daily childcare services.

General Music Teacher

Mill Run Elementary School – Ashburn, VA August 2018 - June 2020
I was a full time classroom (and virtual) general music teacher creating and leading engaging and grade
appropriate lesson plans for a general music classroom. I coordinated and produced grade level concerts
showcasing student skills and different genres of music, as well as holiday assemblies throughout the
year. I directed the after school chorus and brought several students to All County Chorus. In addition to
helping my student’s prepare, I also took on the role of creating position and seating charts for all of the
All County Chorus members. I created a new Mill Run Music Website for the students which held
activities and videos for students to continue learning and engaging with music outside of the classroom.
This became a very useful tool as we moved to distance learning in the spring of 2020.

Student Teaching
Wilbur Pence Middle School January 2018 - March 2018
John C. Myers Elementary March 2018 - May 2018
Fox Run Elementary School March 2018 - May 2018
I was in the classroom full time leading as a teacher under the supervision of my cooperating teacher. I
was responsible for making engaging and grade appropriate lesson plans. I was evaluated by my
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cooperating teacher and my advisor throughout both of my placements to gain feedback on how I could
take my teaching to the next level. I was responsible for managing my classroom, making connections
with all of my students, creating a safe and welcoming classroom environment, and following school and
district standards and curriculum requirements.

Beginners Conducting Teaching Assistant August 2017 – December 2017

James Madison University
I assisted in leading class as directed by the professor, as well as leading a small group once a week.

Section Leader
Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church – Fishersville, VA March 2016 – December 2017
I learned the Chancellor Choir’s repertoire and helped lead the section. I performed solos when asked, and
sang other voice parts when needed. I attended Wednesday night rehearsal and performed with the
ensemble every Sunday morning.

Practicum
Harrisonburg, VA October 2015 – December 2017
Six or more times per semester I visited a Kindergarten through 12th grade classroom in which time I
observed and took notes on how the teacher gave their lesson. I was also required to teach a short lesson
during one of my visits. I also taught at Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, leading a piece in
their Christmas program.

Archivist - George C. Marshall Museum

Lexington, VA May 2017 - August 2017
The George C. Marshall foundation receives donations of historical artifacts and records of George C.
Marshall or from those closely associated with him during his time serving the United States. They also
receive documents on cryptography and have one of the largest collections in the Women’s Auxiliary
Army Corps (later the Women’s Army Corps). I had the opportunity to go through some of these
donations, read through their content, and organize the letters, pictures, documents and other paper
artifacts into a file to be placed in the archives in the museum.

Community Service:
Mentor
Normandale Lutheran Church – Edina, MN February 2022 – April 2022

Small Group Leader

Christ Presbetyrian Church – Edina, MN November 2020 – April 2022
Mclean Bible Church – Leesburg, VA 2019 – 2020

Liaison 2015 – 2017

James Madison University
Men’s Chorus Invitational January 2016 & 2017
Chorale Fest September 2015 & 2017

Sunday School Leader

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Calvary Crosslink – Harrisonburg, VA June 2015 – August 2015

Extra-Curricular Activities and Ensembles:

Normandale Adult Choir
Normandale Lutheran Church – Edina, MN 2012 – Present

Sunday Cantor 2004 – Present

Lead psalms and prayers during the Sunday morning Church Services at Normandale Lutheran
Church.

Mclean Bible Church Worship Team Fall 2018 – Spring 2020

Mclean Bible Church – Leesburg, VA

Sigma Alpha Iota Spring 2017 – December 2017

James Madison University – Harrisonburg, VA
Professional Music Fraternity

The Madison Singers

James Madison University – Harrisonburg, VA Fall 2016 – Fall 2017
Manager Spring 2017 – Fall 2017

James Madison University Chorale

James Madison University – Harrisonburg, VA Fall 2015 – Fall 2017
Manager Fall 2016 – Fall 2017

Treble Chamber Choir

James Madison University – Harrisonburg, VA Fall 2015 – Fall 2017

Into Hymn
James Madison University – Harrisonburg, VA Fall 2013 – Spring 2017
All female Christian A Cappella group
Social Coordinator Fall 2014 – Spring 2015
Assistant Music Director Fall 2015 – Spring 2017

JMUkes
James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA
Founding member Spring 2017 – Fall 2017
Event Coordinator Spring 2017

Outside Professional Activities:

Attendee of the Virginia Music Education Association Annual Conference 2018, 2019
Manager
The Madison Singers Fall 2016 – Fall 2017
Chorale Fall 2016 – Spring 2017
Section Leader
The Madison Singers Fall 2016 - Fall 2017
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 Chorale Fall 2016 – Spring 2017
Choral Fest Liaison Fall 2015, 2016, & 2017
Teaching Assistant for Basic Conducting Fall 2017
Recital Winter 2017
Choral Specialist in Show choir Methods Spring 2017
Participant in the Undergraduate Recital of Douglas Byler Spring 2017
Participant in the Undergraduate Conducting Competition Spring 2017
Traveled and performed with The Madison Singers on tour Summer 2017
Participant in Emily Dickinson Honors Choir Spring 2016

Notable Awards:
M.A.R.C.U.S. Conference October 2015
I was nominated by one of my professors to present a research paper titled “Finding the Light: Explaining
the Slave Experience in the 1930’s” at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference for Undergraduate
Scholarship.

Skill Set:
Instruments: Voice, piano, guitar, baritone ukulele, soprano ukulele, and recorder. Basics skills on
saxophone, flute, trumpet, percussion.
Languages: English, Spanish
Software: Salesforce, Infinite Campus, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Finale
Notepad, Plickers, Noteflight, and GarageBand.
Discography: Truth Be Told (Into Hymn), Found (Into Hymn) - Specifically Shackles and Amazing
Grace/Fight Song