Orchard Valley Music Teacher Heads Youth Symphony
“If I had to describe it in one word, I would say otherworldly.” Orchard Valley Music Teacher Sean Brekke reflects on his time since joining the school in the summer of 2021. "I love being so connected with the surrounding woods and it's been amazing to teach in such a spectacular location. The families and faculty have been so supportive of this new program and the students' hard work has already paid off by way of a fantastic Winter Concert.”
Sean was also recently named the Executive Director of the Green Mountain Youth Symphony (GMYS). “I’ve worked with youth music groups for as long as I can remember. As a student, many of my summers were spent at music camps such as Third Street Music School in New York City and Kinhaven Music School in southern Vermont. As soon as I graduated from these programs, I took the opportunity to come back and work as a counselor. When I moved to Vermont in 2021 I had two goals: start my own music program here at Orchard Valley and get involved with the Green Mountain Youth Symphony. I was surprised and excited when I heard GMYS was looking for a new executive director.”
Sean received his bachelor's degree in music performance on viola from the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College in 2016, and shortly after graduating, he began working at the Brooklyn Waldorf School (BWS) teaching private lessons on violin and viola and learning about conducting, music education and Waldorf philosophies as part of his mentorship. In 2020, he stepped in to run the orchestra program at BWS, guiding grades three to eight. “When I decided to move away from Brooklyn, I knew that I was going to continue working at a Waldorf school. Serendipitously, I checked out Orchard Valley and saw they had an opening for a music teacher so I jumped at the opportunity. I love the support that arts programs receive in the Waldorf curriculum.”
Sean is also an active performer and has performed internationally from New York City's Carnegie Hall to piazzas in Tuscany, Italy and concert halls in Switzerland. “I started playing violin when I was four years old in Brooklyn, New York from a local teacher in my neighborhood. My parents really wanted me to get involved with something that would be a long-term commitment. They could tell that we were coming into an age of instant gratification and they wanted to instill the value of hard work over a long period of time.”
Graciously and clearly, Sean acknowledges the significance of the teachers who helped him develop his artistry. "I’ve been lucky to have many amazing teachers throughout my upbringing. Two people who have had a huge influence on me are Mary Jo Pagano and Sibylle Johner. Together, they run the Chamber Music Center of New York. I had the good fortune to work with them both as a student and later on as a coworker. The joy and drive they have for creating music with young people is exhilarating and I strive every day to bring that energy into all my work.”
As Sean looks ahead to his role with both Orchard Valley and the Youth Symphony, he sees opportunities for collaboration.“I would love to see the Orchard Valley students showing up at the Youth Symphony. It would be awesome if both programs grew off of one another!” With the growth and development of the music program at Orchard Valley, Sean looks forward to sharing what his classes have been working on with parents and the school community at the Spring Concert on Friday, May 6th at the First Presbyterian Church of Barre.
This Sunday, April 10th at 2:00 p.m., the Green Mountain Youth Symphony will be presenting a concert featuring both of their string orchestras at the Barre Opera House after a long hiatus. These orchestras are made up of the same instruments that can be found in the Orchard Valley grade 2/3 and 4/5 orchestras. The Youth Symphony will be playing music by Mozart, Brahms and more, and Sean will be performing with them. Tickets are available at the door by donation and children under 5 are free. For more information, please visit gmys-vt.org.
