Bachelors of Music Education-Northwestern State University

Bachelors of Music-Flute Performance-Northwestern State University

Masters of Music-Flute Performance-Western Carolina University

Sims Elementary 2012-Present

Teaching Philosophy:

Music is a concept that is not seen as a very important part of life by everyone. Some believe that Music and the other Fine Arts should not be taught in public schools. Others believe that it should only be a pass time or entertainment, but nothing else. By becoming a Music teacher not only am I to teach the concepts that are essential to the understanding of music in its entirety, I must defend and support the influence that music has upon its students. I have made the commitment to reach out to those who will become my students and discover their potential. I will display the opportunities that Music has to offer but not make it the only path way a student can follow.

I believe that those who are teaching music have to be passionate about music and the art of teaching. Those teaching are now committed to their students and their development. I believe that the parent should be involved as much as possible. With out them a musical atmosphere and the enthusiasm that is needed to succeed in Music will be much more difficult to create. The students being taught Music should not be forced to learn if he does not enjoy the concepts, but the student should be allowed to grow as a musician with the help of the teacher. The student should be made aware of his strengths and weaknesses in order to improve. The administration should be supportive in every way possible way for the student to succeed. Not just in music but in everything the student encounters. The community should be the biggest influence on our music students. Music goes beyond the classroom.

 Everyone should be responsible for Music Education.

 Some find music as motivation and therefore improve in everything else they do. Students should not only be taught the basics of music but should also be taught the history of music and those who have contributed most in all aspects of music. They should also be taught performance skills, so that if they choose to continue music they can thrive in performance.

Hello!

My name is Jose Bustamante and I am the current music specialist at Sims Elementary-early college prep. This will be my third year and I am thrilled to begin the 2014-15 year!

I was born and raised in Austin, TX. I attended Blackshear Elementary and Widen Elementary, Mendez and Paredes Middle Schools and graduated from W.C Akins High School. During my childhood I would often drive by Sims Elementary never knowing that I would one day be working here. Through out my primary education I was very active in the music sphere with Music Memory teams, choirs, concert and marching band.

I hold degrees in both Music Education and Flute Performance from Northwestern
State University where I studied with Dennette McDermott. At NSU, I performed with
The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony, and the NSU Wind and Chamber Ensembles. There I received the prestigious Alice L. Pipes Award for Excellence in Music Performance and the Marsha Thomas Pendleton Scholarships for Outstanding Academic Achievement. I am also a founding member of the Natchitoches-Northwestern Flute Guild, which promotes the flute and its repertoire in the community. As a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, I continue to advocate for music in American schools and promote new music.

 After completing my student-teaching in the Red Oak school district, I pursued a Masters Degree in Music at Western Carolina University where I studied with Eldred Spell. There, I was an active arranger and composer for the flute choir, an avid performer in the choir and chamber ensembles, and audio engineer for the university's music ensembles.

I am currently completing my third level of training in the Kodaly methodology to be a more effective music teacher.

 When I'm not teaching or doing something music related, I like to enjoy my free time with reading, video games, and cuddling with my three dogs.