SFYCA Activity Directors are the glue that hold everything together as they interface with SFYCA’s talented faculty and SFYCA’s up-and-coming participants. Katie Simon is SFYCA’s one of the longest-serving AD as she has held the AD title for over 7 years. As a member of a musical family, Katie is the fourth Simon sibling to attend SFYCA. Katie’s everlasting smile, kind demeanor and superb organization skills are just a few ways she makes SFYCA the special program that it is today.
Below are answers to questions posed to Katie about her journey and experience with SFYCA. Enjoy!
SFYCA Alumni Profile Post #5!
SFYCA celebrates its 25th Anniversary this summer. SFYCA Alumni Profiles are one of many ways we will be celebrating SFYCA alumni (over 1200) who are doing amazing things in their careers today. If you are an alum, or know someone who is, please email Education & Operations Coordinator, Barbara Harris at bharris7@uoregon.edu.
1. In your own words, what does SFYCA mean to you? How has it shaped and informed your career?
SFYCA is an absolutely incredible experience, which I have been lucky enough to participate in various ways over the last decade. As a student participant, SFYCA was the highest caliber musical opportunity that I had been a part of at that point in my life. It gave me so much confidence in my own musical abilities knowing that I was selected to be a part of the most fantastic group of high school singers in the country. Continuing on with SFYCA as an Activity Director has given me the opportunity to see this program change the lives of other students. As I no longer work in the field of music, it means the world to me that I get to continue my love of choral music every summer through the SFYCA.
2. What is your favorite memory of SFYCA? Both as an SFYCA musician and now as an Activity Director?
As a student, I loved working with all of the fabulous conductors and special guests, like Helmuth Rilling and Garrison Keillor, opportunities that I wouldn’t have had in other choral programs. I also must mention the friendships that I have made through SFYCA, as a student and Activity Director. I have met so many people who continue to be a large part of my life and I am so thankful for that. As an Activity Director, my favorite memory is getting to host open mic nights and seeing the participants show us some musical (or non-musical) talents – it always has me cry-laughing.
3. You’ve been a YCA Activity Director for 7 years now. What aspects of this role and the program make you keep coming back?
Working with the SFYCA during the summer is wonderful for so many reasons. I get to enjoy so much fabulous choral and orchestral music, which isn’t a part of my day-to-day life, so I get to relearn every summer how much I love it. I also truly enjoy working with high school students – I spend my days with 3-5 year olds so having a chance to work with older students is very rewarding.
4. You got your degree in early childhood development from the University of Oregon. What attracted you to this degree and field?
I have always enjoyed working with children and through an internship during my undergrad years, I found a tremendous amount of joy working with young children who experience disabilities. Getting to be a part of the early years of education feels very rewarding. My goal is to set children and families up with a good foundation in their education beyond my classroom. Teaching brings me a lot of joy, the kids are fun and resilient and I am very lucky to do what I do!
5. You recently just started a new job. Tell us more about it, and why you chose it.
I had been teaching for 7 years prior to leaving the classroom to take on community based therapy opportunities for preschool students. I was going into a variety of preschool classrooms and supporting teachers to provide supports that increase inclusion of students with disabilities. While I enjoyed this part of my work, I found that my heart was really in the classroom, getting to see students daily and personally observe the progress they were making. I took a job at the Multnomah Early Childhood Program, as a classroom teacher. I provide services to 3-5 year old students in an inclusive classroom, meaning I have students experiencing disabilities and those who are neurotypical. I’ve been there for about 6 months now!
6. While you aren’t a performing musician, how is music still a part of your life?
I use music in my classroom every single day. Students of all varieties can learn so many different skills when they are presented in the form of music, including motor, cognitive and social skills. Using music therapy and teaching strategies gives me an opportunity to keep my passion alive and share it with the next generation- I can’t really ask for more than that!
