Justin P. Cook ______

EDUCATION Troy High School Troy, NY New York State Regents Diploma June 2004

Westminster Choir College of Rider University Princeton, NJ Bachelor of Music in Music Education, May 2011

Schenectady County Community College Schenectady, NY Associate of Science in Performing Arts (Music), May 2006

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Albany Chinese School Children’s Choir Director, Latham, NY May 2011- Present

Olde Schoolhouse Daycare Lead Toddler Teacher, Glenville, NY August 2010-May 2011

Taylor Mills Elementary School Elementary Practicum, Englishtown, NJ Spring 2008 Supervised by Amanda Newell

• Developed engaging lesson plans that build basic musical skills through play. • Implemented informal formative assessments that guided future lesson planning and documented student achievement. • Facilitated musical experiences that empower students to perform and create music in small cooperative groups.

Bayside High School Student Teaching, Queens, NY Fall 2010 Cooperating Teacher-Joe Piccirillo Supervised by Elizabeth Guglielmo

• Designed lesson plans for a High School General Music Class, Concert Choir, Solo Voice Workshop, and Mixed Chorus. • Adapted lessons for special learners and utilized multiple instructional strategies that catered to the diverse learning styles of the classroom community. • Integrated technology into enhance teaching and learning. • Administered formative assessments that guided instruction and provided opportunities for students to participate in the assessment process through personal reflections and self assessments. • Empowered students to become musicians by honoring their musical world and knowledge constructed from personal experience, scaffolding lessons to foster musical and personal growth, building an environment that encouraged critical thinking and construction of new knowledge, and implemented reciprocal teaching strategies that fostered a student centered classroom.

American Boychoir School Apprentice Conductor, Resident Training Choir, Princeton, NJ Fall/Spring 2008

• Studied score preparation and vocal development with Nathan Wadley, the Resident Training Choir Director. • Prepared, rehearsed, and conducted three choral pieces for public performance. • Observed and assisted Resident Training Choir Director during Kodaly based rehearsals.

EXPERIENCE AmeriCorp VISTA, Program Development Specialist Hamilton Hill Arts Center, Schenectady, NY 2009-2010

• Designed, piloted, and evaluated arts based programs, performances and workshops rooted in the arts and culture of the African Diaspora. • Built strategic relationships and partnerships with local businesses, schools, arts organizations, artists, musicians, and dancers. • Organized and instituted the Arts in Education Program. Workshops, performances, lectures, and professional development programs were designed to supplement course goals and curricular objectives. All programs aligned to the NYS education standards. • Produced a variety of concerts featuring Melba Moore, The Legendary Soul Stirrers, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Gballoi:The Prophet Band, and a variety of local talent. • Composed and generated press releases, executed press conferences, and originated a media contact database. • Strengthened and improved public relations by facilitating the development of a social media plan and introduced the Hamilton Hill Arts Center to Facebook and social media.

Office Assistant: Office of Institutional Development and Alumni Relations , Princeton, NJ (Interim Assignment) 2007-2009

• Produced, organized, and coordinated Alumni Auction and homecoming activities. The weekend events raised approximately $14,000 in charitable donations and strengthened future donor relationships with Alumni. • Processed donations and maintained donor database. • Assisted the Director of Annual Giving with preparing quarterly appeals and invitations to cultivation events. • Assisted the Director of Annual Giving with preparing a variety of financial reports.

Residential Houseparent: Office of the Dean of Students American Boychoir School, Princeton, NJ 2007-2009

• Attended to the emotional, physical, social, and developmental needs of preadolescent and adolescent males at a single sex boarding school. • Supervised and implemented extracurricular activities, facilitated daily routines, and monitored residential and community life activities. • Collaborated with members of the community life staff and assisted in the development and implementation of programs and activities.

State Master Councilor New York DeMolay, Utica, NY 2005-2006 • Chief Executive Youth Officer • Led and orchestrated programs and initiatives instituted by the State Executive Committee. • Counseled and oversaw elected and appointed state youth officers. • Designed and implemented the 2005-2006 jurisdiction action plan. • Served as a youth liaison and representative to the DeMolay International Congress, State Advisory Committee, and organizational sponsors. PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE Westminster 2006-2007 North American Premiere of “Annelies” by James Whitbourn.

Westminster Symphonic Choir 2007-2009 Performances with the , , Nemi Jarvi, , Pierre Boulez, Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra.

New York City School Choir Fall 2010 - Creative Learning Project featuring “Too Hot to Handel” -Performance with Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony. -Performed as a Tenor Ringer with hundreds of High School Students. -Assisted with voice hearings and sectionals. -Collaborated with the production committee to ensure a successful performance as a student teacher.

First Church of Albany, Albany, NY 2009-2010 Tenor Soloist and Section Leader.

HONORS David Orlop Staff Meritorious Service Award 2002 AWARDS Rotary Scout Reservation, Twin Rivers Council, BSA

Degree of Chevalier, Order of DeMolay 2006 Honorary Degree for Outstanding Service to DeMolay. Approximately one percent of all members are invested with the degree of Chevalier.

Grand Masters Award of Appreciation 2006 The Grand Lodge of the State of New York F&AM Awarded for outstanding and dedicated service and leadership as State Master Councilor of New York DeMolay.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia 2008 Charter Member of Rho Kappa Chapter, Westminster Choir College of Rider University.