I have completed my BA and MSED in Music Education, both from CUNY Queens College (Aaron Copland School of Music). Currently, I have been teaching for six years in the NYC Department of Education. I am currently split be-tween two schools within one campus, ABLE 1 (370K), and Brooklyn School of Inquiry (686K). My teaching experience has led me to teach k-6 general music, orchestra, performing arts, in addition to being the musical director. I have mainly worked with students who are special learners. I have worked with students who are on the autism spectrum, have physical, cognitive, emotional/behavioral disabilities, in addition to students who are classified as gifted and talented. I am a classically trained cellist, and have been an avid performer in the New York City area.
Currently, I am principal cellist of New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble, a large symphonic orchestra located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I have also played with several smaller groups in the NYC area. Nevertheless, through my teaching experience, I am also able to play most string, woodwind, and brass instruments. In addition to teaching, I have begun developing and presenting research focused on working with students who have special needs. I have presented and co-presented for the past two NYSSMA Winter Conferences, in addition to co-presenting at the NAfME Biennial Eastern Division Conference in 2015.
Moreover, I have presented an online webinar for NAfME, presented a workshop for the NYC OASP, and published an article in the NYSSMA magazine School Music News. I willbe presenting later this year for NYSSMA again, in addition to presenting for SCMEA and OMEA. Since special learners is a never-growing important topic, I have discovered the importance of sharing the teaching practices that work in my classroom, with other teachers. I have been asked to present, and co-present, workshops at NYU and CUNY Brooklyn College. My classroom has been host to many student observers from Brooklyn College, NYU, and CWPost. In addition I have mentored two student teachers from Brooklyn College. It is the diversity of my teaching experience combined with my years of performing and presenting, which have prepared me for a rewarding career as a music educator. You can view my online portfolio at http://bwagner921.wix.com/portfolioto find out more about my teaching back-ground.