Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Instrumental Music Education, UNC Charlotte (2021)
Hometown: Thomasville, NC
Connor Beck's love for music was ingraned in him from the very beggining. His whole family loved music, he says, and his mom would play for him and his family all the time while he was growing up. "I was amazed with how it sounded. After that, my siblings all did band, and I wanted to be just like them, so I joined as well. High school is when I decided I wanted to be a band director."
This passion coninued to grow until he graduated high school, when he decided to pursue a music education degree here at UNC Charlotte. In our music department, he learned many lessons from our amazing professors that prepared him for sucess. "Dr. Jessica Lindsey taught me to be a stronger individual player, my many ensemble directors pushed me to work as a team player, and all of my Music Education professors taught me how to shape the minds of my students," Connor says. We also asked him what his favorite memory of his time here was. "I have so many fond memories from my time at UNC Charlotte. Most of them are from sitting in the second floor lobby of Robinson Hall in between classes."
As a music educator, Connor gave us a look into some of his favorite activities. "Since graduating, I’ve done a lot of things. I took my 8th Graders to the Carowinds Festival of Music last year, and we all had a blast!! This past season, I worked with Ashbrook High School’s band. They had an excellent season, and I couldn’t be prouder of them! I also played in a rock band at my school’s talent show!!"
Connor also has some wonderful advice for current students. "Sometimes things don’t go the way you have planned, and that’s totally fine! I always wanted to be a high school band director and since graduating, I’ve taught elementary and middle school. Every stone on your path is leading you to your ultimate goal. Keep pushing and it will all work out!"