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TFO Teaching Artist plays key role in Pinellas schools THE FLORIDA ORCHESTRA | 2017-2018 77 When school started this fall, TFO Violin Teaching Artist Kristin Baird was back in Pinellas County classrooms playing a key role in supporting music education. Baird provides private lessons for music teachers, many of whom do not play violin, viola, cello, or bass as their primary instrument, as part of a program The Florida Orchestra implemented with Pinellas County middle and high schools to work closely with their strings teachers. She also provides lesson plans and direct support to students in the classrooms. Between her start in January 2017 and the end of the 2016/2017 season in May, Baird visited about 712 students in 34 classes at 17 different schools. When Baird is not visiting schools, she is performing as a substitute violinist with TFO. TFO will further integrate the Teaching Artist program this fall by choosing two partner schools to work more closely with Baird. She will provide consistent, regular visits to help teachers identify, meet and exceed goals for their specific string program during the 2017/2018 school year. Part of the funding for the Teaching Artist program comes from the Arts Referendum that Pinellas voters renewed in 2016. “We have been able to rebuild our orchestra programs in Pinellas County Schools due to the overwhelming support of our community for the referendum,” said Jeanne Reynolds, Pinellas County Schools PreK-12 Performing Arts Specialist. “We are excited to take our long-standing partnership with The Florida Orchestra to the next level by hiring a Florida Orchestra teaching artist to work in our schools. The teaching artist, Kristin Baird, has already had a tremendous impact on our orchestra programs. Our teachers and students are thrilled with the expertise she is providing. What a great return on our community’s investment in our schools!”


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