K-5 General Music Teachers

MS. JERI BLADE – Baldwin Elementary School General Music

Ms. Blade is a well-rounded music educator who loves to work with musicians of all disciplines, ages, and abilities. She is so excited to join the Quincy Public Schools Music Department teaching general music at Baldwin Elementary School. An Illinois native, Mrs. Blade graduated from Illinois State University in 2023 with her Bachelor’s of Music Education. She enjoyed participating in all facets of musicianship available at ISU, including the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Belle Voix (all-women chorus), Jazz Ensemble, trumpet ensemble, and the Big Red Marching Machine. From there, she began her teaching career in Tucson, Arizona as the band director at Sierra K-8 School and Esperanza Elementary. During her time teaching 5th-8th band, Mrs. Blade had the pleasure of spending time getting to know the younger students and sparking their interest in the learning of musical instruments.
Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Blade loves to practice the trumpet and make music on her own time! She is a member of the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra, which rehearses and performs each June in Branson, MO. She also served as the principal trumpet of the Tucson Civic Orchestra and played with several local chamber ensembles. She looks forward to getting involved with local ensembles and continuing to make music in Quincy.
Mrs. Blade was inspired to become a music educator by all of the excellent teachers she had in her own K-12 education. She believes that music teachers have the power to change lives for the better and enjoys helping students find their talents and learn to believe in themselves. She is passionate about making connections and building relationships through music and believes strongly that all students deserve access to a quality music education. She is so excited to join the music team at Quincy Public Schools and continue making music with excellent young musicians!

 

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MS. MAKAYLA BRIGGS – Denman Elementary General Music

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MRS. SAMANTHA BURGE – Lincoln Douglas Elementary General Music

My name is Mrs. Samantha Burge and I teach General Music at Lincoln-Douglas Elementary, this is my 9th year teaching music.

I received my bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Quincy University in Quincy, IL. I am working on my Master of Music Education – Kodaly Emphasis from Lakeland University in Sheboygan, WI.

I play flute and piccolo with amazing groups in the Quincy area. I play with the Quincy Park Band, which plays during the summer at Madison Park, and Quincy Concert Band throughout the school year.

In my free time I like to hang out with my family, husband Mack and daughter Zullianna (2), and play with my dogs, Kuzco and Apollo. I like to relax at home by watching my favorite tv series of reality competitions: Master Chef, Masked Singer, or Next Level Chef.

 

 

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MRS. MARCI KELLER – Rooney Elementary General Music

Bringing over 30 years of classroom teaching experience to Rooney Elementary, Mrs. Keller has a unique talent for weaving reading, math, science, social studies, and social-emotional skills directly into her music lessons. Her rich background spans K–3 classroom instruction, gifted education, musical theater, vocal performance, and choral direction. Today, as Rooney’s K–5 Music Teacher and 3–5 Choir Director, she combines her deep roots in education with her lifelong love for the performing arts.

A Southern Illinois native, Mrs. Keller holds a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale and a master’s degree from Quincy University. She lives in Quincy with her husband, Jason, and their teenage sons, Thomas and Joseph. The entire Keller family shares a passion for music and theater – a joy Mrs. Keller is thrilled to share with her students every day!

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MR. MARK SNIDER – Iles Elementary General Music