PRESS RELEASE
October 2005
For immediate release
SANTA CLARA COUNTY ASIAN-AMERICAN HERO AWARD HONORS
MUSIC TEACHER FROM COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ARTS
(Mountain View, CA) Angely Chen, a respected music teacher from
the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) at Finn Center,
recently received an Asian-American Hero Award in recognition
of her many contributions to the arts and music education. The
annual award was established five years ago by Santa Clara County
Supervisor Liz Kniss to honor individuals who have made a significant
impact in the community and who bridge differences among communities.
Individuals are recognized in the areas of leadership, health
and human services, the arts, education, and family.
“I love music and I love working with children,” Chen said, adding
that there are many privileges to being a music teacher. “As a faculty
member of CSMA, I have had the chance to teach children how to sing and play,
which is immensely rewarding.”
Since 1997, Angely Chen has taught classroom music as a faculty member in CSMA’s
music-in-the-schools program that brings weekly instruction to children at
local elementary schools. She has taught in the Mountain View-Whisman and Cambrian
School Districts. She currently teaches CSMA’s Kodaly music curriculum
in grades K-3 in the Los Altos School District. The Kodaly method uses vocal
instruction as the basis for developing all aspects of musicality and makes
many connections with the academic core curriculum. Chen has also taught CSMA’s
curriculum that focuses on music from around the world and has worked effectively
with children who are ethnically diverse and are English learners.
“
Angely’s most significant contribution to music education is how she
has inspired her students and other music teachers,” said Arleen Pickett,
CSMA Music-in-the-Schools Director. “Not only does she teach the concepts
of music, she helps children have the confidence that they can sing, move and
play instruments.” Pickett went on to comment that because of Angely
Chen’s expertise as a teacher, she has also served as a mentor teacher
helping others to develop their teaching skills.
Angely Chen, who lives in Cupertino, holds a Masters Degree in Music education,
with Kodaly emphasis, from Holy Names University in Oakland, CA. She is an
active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Organization
of American Kodaly Educators. She has also served as a director of the Sacred
Heart Children’s Choir in Santa Clara, the Crystal Children’s Choir
in Cupertino, and as organist/pianist for St. Claire Church in Santa Clara.
The Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) at Finn Center is a regional
center for arts education committed to providing Arts for All, regardless of
age, level, background or economic means. Since its founding in 1968, CSMA
has grown to be the largest non-profit provider of arts education programs
in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, reaching more than 30,000 people annually
through classes, lessons, camps, arts-in-the-schools programs (Music in
Action, Arts in Action), concerts, lectures, exhibitions, and community outreach events.
The school offers financial aid to ensure the accessibility of the arts to
all. In January 2004, CSMA opened it first permanent home at Finn Center, a
25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility.
For information about the Asian-American Hero Awards, contact the Office of
Santa Clara Supervisor Liz Kniss (408/229-5050). For info about programs and
services offered by the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA) at Finn
Center,
230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, see www.arts4all.org or call 650-917-6800.
###
|
