About the Director:
Melissa Morris earned her Bachelor of Music in Education at The University of Hartford’s Hartt School where she studied Classical Guitar performance and Music Education with a minor in Percussion Performance. She completed her Masters Degree in Music Education at New York University.
Ms. Morris has studied Classical Guitar with some of the world’s most accomplished performers, including Benjamin Verdery, Stephen Robinson, Andrew York, and has studied percussion with noteworthy percussionists Sherrie Maricle and Rosemary Smalls. She performed in The Hartt Schools Community Band, NYU’s Percussion Ensemble and Central Connecticut State University’s Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.
Ms. Morris began her teaching career in private schools after graduating from The University of Hartford. She accepted a position with the NYC Department of Education in 1996 at James Madison High School, Brooklyn (JMHS). There she founded the Guitar and Orchestra programs and would become the Coordinator of the Music and Art Department in 2003. During her tenure at James Madison High School she would become the partnership liaison between the Bertelsmann Music Corporation and JMHS as well as receive a prestigious award for Innovation and Creativity in Teaching from Bertelsmann Music Group.
In July 2006 Ms. Morris gave birth to her son, Charles, and took a leave of absence to be a full time mom. She returned to the NYC Department of Education in September 2008 as founding Director of Music for CSI High School for International Studies (CSIHSIS). CSIHSIS is noted for its unique World Percussion Ensemble and Drum Circle Facilitator program. She is the recipient of a prestigious award for Innovation and Creativity in Teaching from Bertelsmann Music Group.
In June 2014 she would become the recipient of a Distinguished Educator Award Living and Teaching on Staten Island from Wagner College and quarter finalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award for 2014. Nominated by a former colleague for the 2015 Global Teacher Prize which is an annual one million dollar award from the Varkey Foundation. Ms. Morris was named top 50 finalists from over 112 countries. She will take her place with the other 49 finalists as Ambassador for Education with the Varkey Foundation.
In March 2016, Ms. Morris travelled to Dubai to attend the Varkey Foundation Leadership Summit and Global Skills Forum.
Ms. Morris has studied Classical Guitar with some of the world’s most accomplished performers, including Benjamin Verdery, Stephen Robinson, Andrew York, and has studied percussion with noteworthy percussionists Sherrie Maricle and Rosemary Smalls. She performed in The Hartt Schools Community Band, NYU’s Percussion Ensemble and Central Connecticut State University’s Concert Band and Wind Ensemble.
Ms. Morris began her teaching career in private schools after graduating from The University of Hartford. She accepted a position with the NYC Department of Education in 1996 at James Madison High School, Brooklyn (JMHS). There she founded the Guitar and Orchestra programs and would become the Coordinator of the Music and Art Department in 2003. During her tenure at James Madison High School she would become the partnership liaison between the Bertelsmann Music Corporation and JMHS as well as receive a prestigious award for Innovation and Creativity in Teaching from Bertelsmann Music Group.
In July 2006 Ms. Morris gave birth to her son, Charles, and took a leave of absence to be a full time mom. She returned to the NYC Department of Education in September 2008 as founding Director of Music for CSI High School for International Studies (CSIHSIS). CSIHSIS is noted for its unique World Percussion Ensemble and Drum Circle Facilitator program. She is the recipient of a prestigious award for Innovation and Creativity in Teaching from Bertelsmann Music Group.
In June 2014 she would become the recipient of a Distinguished Educator Award Living and Teaching on Staten Island from Wagner College and quarter finalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award for 2014. Nominated by a former colleague for the 2015 Global Teacher Prize which is an annual one million dollar award from the Varkey Foundation. Ms. Morris was named top 50 finalists from over 112 countries. She will take her place with the other 49 finalists as Ambassador for Education with the Varkey Foundation.
In March 2016, Ms. Morris travelled to Dubai to attend the Varkey Foundation Leadership Summit and Global Skills Forum.
http://www.globalteacherprize.org/top-50-finalists
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Ms. Melissa Morris is honored to take her place amongst the other Global Teacher Prize finalists as Varkey Teacher Ambassador. (International Education Consultant)
"Varkey Teacher Ambassadors are the role models who promote best practices in education and lead the way in developing future learning techniques."
http://www.globalteacherprize.org/varkey-teacher-ambassadors-programme
"Varkey Teacher Ambassadors are the role models who promote best practices in education and lead the way in developing future learning techniques."
http://www.globalteacherprize.org/varkey-teacher-ambassadors-programme
Ms. Morris was honored to be nominated to receive the
Wagner College Distinguished Educator Award 2014
Wagner College Distinguished Educator Award 2014
Ms. Morris is the Orchestra Director for the Salute to Music program for Staten Island. This is an enrichment program offered to public middle and elementary school string students living in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Performances include: The Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Little Kids Rock Teacher
Ms. Morris is one of the first New York Educators to be trained as a Little Kids Rock Director. She brings the AMP UP NEW YORK / LITTLE KIDS ROCK / BERKLEE COLLEGE CITY MUSIC curriculum to
CSI High School for International Studies
CSI High School for International Studies