Madeson Van Wagenen – EBIS/WHS Music Teacher

Madeson Van Wagenen is looking to share her passion for music with her students as the new music teacher at Eugene Brooks Intermediate School and Webutuck High School. Van Wagenen is teaching general music, chorus and guitar.

“Meeting the students has been the best part,” said Van Wagenen. “I see a lot of motivation, and I see curiosity, which is especially important for music to have the initial urge to try more.”

Van Wagenen added, “Everyone is super supportive here. I feel really supported by the staff. It’s a warm and welcoming environment.”

Van Wagenen is still learning her students’ likes, so she may instill some of this into her curriculum.

“Many students mentioned they like dancing,” she said. “In college, I learned a lot of folk dances, so you can take any dance from a culture and use it in class. I’m definitely interested in trying this here.”

Van Wagenen shared why she was lured to music.

“I had really good music teachers growing up, who I still talk to today,” she said. “They were very influential with not just music, but with life skills, they helped me a lot.”

Van Wagenen, who like all types of music and plays the clarinet, added, “I was shy in school, so music was a really big outlet for me.”

Van Wagenen, who grew up in Ulster County, earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from SUNY Fredonia and is studying for her master’s degree in music education from the University of Florida.

Van Wagenen, who taught for three years in Ellenville before coming to Webutuck, enjoys baking, walking, spending time with friends and family, and the company of her cat Casper.