“The four years I had at UHart were the best four years of my life thus far. The friends, connections, and memories I've made are ones that I'll cherish forever,” says graduating senior Tara Micale. She was a Music Education major through the Hartt School and recently accepted a position as a K-5 general music teacher in the West Hartford Public Schools district. She learned about this opportunity through a posting online and was “excited to apply for a position close to UHart so I can still be in the area I've called home for the past four years!”
Tara did a student teaching Internship for the entirety of fall '19, where she spent eight weeks teaching a high school choir and eight weeks teaching elementary general music. Of her experience, she says, “the faculty and staff at Hartt made sure we had all the materials and support we needed to thrive.” Micale worked closely with all of Hartt's faculty throughout her time at the school.
In addition to the internships, Micale took part in the a cappella coalition (HartAttack A Cappella) and the university's chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota for the majority of her time at UHart. She says that “having those outlets to express myself in different ways was a life saver during some of the stressful moments the past four years.” Additionally, she used her outlet of singing to complete her Honors Capstone based on Laban Themes, or movement in children. She even wrote and made a CD of children's songs that she can use in her teachings.
What advice does Tara have for incoming students? She says that “it's okay to be nervous about this new chapter of your life but don't be afraid of change and venturing outside of your comfort zone. Take chances. It's a wild ride, but it's worth it!” Micale will be “forever be grateful for my years at UHart. It's time for me to start a new chapter of my life and I'm so excited to see what's in store!”
Tara Micale '20, Music EducationThe four years I had at UHart were the best four years of my life thus far. The friends, connections, and memories I've made are ones that I'll cherish forever.