Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Marakovits.
Hi Jennifer, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My lifelong journey in the arts began with early exposure to music and piano lessons, thanks to my family’s enthusiasm and support. My musical experiences later expanded to include the joy of learning the flute and tuba, ultimately leading to prestigious opportunities, such as attending the Governor’s School for the Arts in Pennsylvania and earning a degree in music education from the Eastman School of Music. Influential mentors, especially my teacher and close friends, played a crucial role in shaping my development, demonstrating to me that music-making is a joyful and fulfilling activity in life. After moving to California as a young bride, I taught piano privately before transitioning into a career in public school music education. I later earned advanced credentials and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, and now actively advocate for the arts through leadership roles in my community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have reflected on the past thirty-plus years of living in New York and California, as well as the challenges I faced in my career journey. After graduating from Eastman, I experienced burnout and uncertainty, which led me to explore new interests in selling pianos and teaching privately in New York. Upon moving to California, particularly to Encinitas, I discovered that school music programs had been cut, prompting me to restart my studio entrepreneurship in Cardiff and continue selling pianos. I delayed earning my California teaching credential until the Great Recession, during which both my husband and I faced job instability while raising two young children. Despite setbacks, I found alternative ways to clear my teaching credential through UCLA and eventually began substitute teaching until a permanent position became available. There were times when I felt discouraged, but I persevered, continued networking, built my resume, and gained experience. After numerous disappointments in job interviews, I landed a position with the Chula Vista Elementary School District by presenting a creative math and music lesson featuring a giant synthetic pizza in a pizza box during my interview. The interviewers thought I brought lunch! I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to build a music program from scratch!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been happily teaching music in the Chula Vista Elementary School District for 10 years, bringing a rich blend of experience and passion to my work. Despite having fewer service years than some of my peers, I still feel fulfilled and energized by my role. I have earned certifications in Orff, Kodály, and World Drumming, and my diverse curriculum and flexibility include modern band, digital music production, strings, drumset, guitar, ukulele, and piano. My teaching style emphasizes creativity, improvisation, and student-led composition, often aligning with school-wide themes and initiatives. My school was recently awarded a grant from the City of Chula Vista Community grant, and we chose to outfit the music program with World Drumming instruments and curricula.
Outside of my school job, I advocate for arts education in my hometown of Encinitas, where I serve as Vice Chair of the Arts Commission of the City of Encinitas. One opportunity I am thankful to have been a part of was launching the Youth Piano Concerto Competition of the City of Encinitas, where I applied my expertise in designing its structure and adjudication process. The competition gained international recognition, bringing the community together, including the city’s partnership with the North Coast Symphony Orchestra. Inspired by my own mentors, I have also expanded my skill set by learning more about promoting visual and other performing arts, as well as programming, and supporting the growth of the new Pacific Arts Center. In Encinitas, I am also an ardent supporter of better music education in public schools and hope to see improvements in arts education in the coming years. I am currently honored to serve as President of San Diego Kodály, an affiliate chapter of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, and regularly present topics related to elementary music education.
As I travel through North County and South County daily, I am dedicated to the field and believe in mentoring and empowering students, as well as fostering inclusive, culturally responsive music education.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I am unsure what the future brings, but do not worry about it. I believe in being present, open-minded, positive, and continually curious to learn. The arts must prevail in education, and we cannot take shortcuts. It is essential to support a robust arts presence in a community to nurture the character and spirit of its residents. We hear about AI just about every day. AI may seem trendy, but it is likely here to stay. With anything new, however, we must approach it with responsibility and use it wisely. It will be interesting to see what role it may take, but we must protect the originality and creativity of the human soul. I do not think anyone wants to see what society will be like in the future without the arts in our schools and communities. There is a lot of work to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jennifermarakovitsmusic.com
- Instagram: @jmarakovits
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-marakovits-8633a162
Image Credits
pictures submitted by Jennifer Marakovits
