Mtra. Sandra Kessler from Querétaro, Mexico was our special guest in Music Education for the Spring of 2024.  She is a native of Michigan and received her initial musical training in the United States.  

As a professional musician and music educator in Querétaro, she served as an arranger and assistant conductor with the Querétaro State Symphonic Band for 8 years, being the first woman in this professional ensemble. During this time she also performed as a trombone soloist several times with the band.  She currently teaches at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro as a brass instructor and has worked for twenty one years at the J. Guadalupe Velázquez Conservatory as a trombone teacher.  

Mtra. Kessler has also directed the Youth Symphonic Band of Santiago de Querétaro for 23 years, during which time the band has recorded four CD´s that include her arrangements along with standard repertoire and has participated in more than fifty National Band Festivals.  In addition, she served four years as the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Symphonic Conductors and Bands in Mexico, and was recently re-elected to the position.

While at Stetson in March, she presented for the Music Education Professional Development (MEPD) hour and for our Instrumental and Choral Methods Classes.  She discussed the work that she does with various age groups in Querétaro, Mexico and engaged the students in meaningful discussions about how this is similar to our Title I schools.  In addition, she talked about and engaged our students in arranging music for a variety of ensemble types and musical styles, sharing how to approach Latino music styles among others.  These were wonderfully interactive experiences.  

Mtra. Kessler also interacted with faculty and students outside of her presentations.  Drs. Witek and Lychner worked with her students in Mexico last May and we hope to continue and grow this connection with the wide variety of possible opportunities.