NICE TO MEET YOU!
Samantha Jones, originally from Haleiwa, Hawaii, completed her undergraduate degree in 2015 at the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Instrumental Music--Band. She then earned her Master of Music Education at Boston University in 2020. Previously, she attended Kahuku High and Intermediate School and performed as first-chair flute player in the concert band while also participating in the marching band. She held various leadership positions including drum major, band president, flute section leader, and saxophone section leader. In 2009 and 2011 she was a soloist in the Oahu Band Directors Association Select Band on saxophone. During this time, she also performed in the Koolauloa Community Wind Orchestra and performed in a saxophone quartet at senior recitals at Brigham Young University. While at CU, Jones performed with the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, the Golden Buffalo Marching Band, and in saxophone quartets. She studied saxophone with Tom Meyer. Jones was on the Dean’s List for the duration of her time at CU, graduated with high honors, and was named the College of Music’s Outstanding Graduate. She also completed her Master’s degree with a 3.96 GPA.
Jones returned to Hawaii to teach, first teaching K-6 general music at Sunset Beach Elementary School and then returning to her alma mater Kahuku High and Intermediate as Director of Bands, teaching students in grades 7-12 in beginning band, intermediate band, symphonic band, and now wind ensemble. During her time at Kahuku she has grown the program by 40%, allowing for the high school band to split into two ability-based bands. While at Kahuku, she also directed the pep band and started a jazz band and a chamber ensemble program. During the 2020-2021 school year, Jones pioneered a peer-mentorship program based on her master’s capstone project. In this program, all seventh and eighth grade students were mentored by a high school student. This research-backed program helped students to remain musically engaged and to form connections during the pandemic and also had a tangible impact on both mentor and mentee achievement. To read more about this program, please click here.
While teaching at Kahuku, Jones performed in the North Shore Symphonic Wind Orchestra (clarinet) and the Hawaii Symphonic Band (saxophone). Jones is also committed to serving her professional community, and does so as the Secretary of the Oahu Band Directors Association and the Department Head of the Performing Arts World Languages Department at Kahuku. She cares deeply about her students as more than just musicians and will always make time for them to have someone to talk to if they need it. She is passionate about helping her students be successful as musicians and in life. Therefore, she is dedicated to improving herself as a teacher and constantly reflects on how she can better support student success. In order to get new ideas, she regularly attends the Midwest Clinic and other local professional development events and is a member of the National Association for Music Educators. She looks forward to participating in the Florida Music Educators Association.
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When not teaching or performing, Jones enjoys sailing, dance, and spending time with her cat, Liam. She is presently seeking employment in Miami, where she is moving to be with her husband.