Gardner-Morales bids bon voyage to students
Jasper Dayao
Issue date: 5/4/09 Section: Entertainment
One of Brookhaven College's longest-serving professors will retire at the end of this semester.
Elaine Gardner-Morales is currently chair of the music program and teaches courses in theory, vocal jazz and music appreciation. Gardner-Morales is also the faculty sponsor and founder of the Brookhaven Jazz Club and is active as a clinician and adjudicator in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
"I started teaching private instruction in music while I was at Mountain View College as a student in 1971 in the Continuing Education Department," she said.
From there, Gardner-Morales said she taught at several schools and came to Brookhaven in 1980.
"I have several musical influences - my dad, a music theory professor at UNT [University of North Texas] School of Music for 40 years, and Brenda Dillon, former music professor at Brookhaven," she said. "Both were very good instructors and very student oriented."
Gardner-Morales said she always wanted to be a music teacher.
"I have always enjoyed people, teaching and music - it's a great combination," she said. "If you combine that with an exciting work environment like Brookhaven - your desire to teach and to be good at what you do grows stronger.''
Gardner-Morales said she will miss the students greatly when she retires.
"I hope to hear about their many successes in the future," she said. "I think that learning is a state of mind - a response to our schoolwork. It is so important to learn in addition to getting a grade in a class. Make sure you focus on learning."
William Chavarri, art freshman, said he has had a great experience in Gardner-Morales' class.
"This semester has been fun," he said. "I've learned new music and cultures. Ms. Gardner-Morales is a great instructor."
Gardner-Morales said because she is still young, she wants to move to another level of development in her life.
"I am looking forward to having time to do musical performing and writing while living near the mountains in Washington state - it is inspirational to be surrounded by such beauty," she said.
Elaine Gardner-Morales is currently chair of the music program and teaches courses in theory, vocal jazz and music appreciation. Gardner-Morales is also the faculty sponsor and founder of the Brookhaven Jazz Club and is active as a clinician and adjudicator in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
"I started teaching private instruction in music while I was at Mountain View College as a student in 1971 in the Continuing Education Department," she said.
From there, Gardner-Morales said she taught at several schools and came to Brookhaven in 1980.
"I have several musical influences - my dad, a music theory professor at UNT [University of North Texas] School of Music for 40 years, and Brenda Dillon, former music professor at Brookhaven," she said. "Both were very good instructors and very student oriented."
Gardner-Morales said she always wanted to be a music teacher.
"I have always enjoyed people, teaching and music - it's a great combination," she said. "If you combine that with an exciting work environment like Brookhaven - your desire to teach and to be good at what you do grows stronger.''
Gardner-Morales said she will miss the students greatly when she retires.
"I hope to hear about their many successes in the future," she said. "I think that learning is a state of mind - a response to our schoolwork. It is so important to learn in addition to getting a grade in a class. Make sure you focus on learning."
William Chavarri, art freshman, said he has had a great experience in Gardner-Morales' class.
"This semester has been fun," he said. "I've learned new music and cultures. Ms. Gardner-Morales is a great instructor."
Gardner-Morales said because she is still young, she wants to move to another level of development in her life.
"I am looking forward to having time to do musical performing and writing while living near the mountains in Washington state - it is inspirational to be surrounded by such beauty," she said.
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