#MyCaedmonStory

Kathleen Kilbane, Music Specialist

What was the path that led you to The Caedmon School?

I was teaching voice at a performing arts camp in the Berkshires, and one of my colleagues there was the music teacher at Caedmon. She founded the afterschool music program here, and she invited me to be the voice teacher. I started in 1991. Years later, Dr. Blackburn was looking for a way to lighten Mr. Davidson’s tremendous teaching load. He knew I had a passion for early childhood music education, and he hired me to teach our younger students during the school day.

What inspired you to become a Music Specialist?

When my own children were little, I became fascinated with how young children learn music. I took training and started teaching family music classes. I’m still fascinated, and I’m always doing more training.

What is it about Caedmon that excites you to come to school each morning?

I call it “the spark” - the moment something magical happens. Maybe the second-grader who struggled to match pitch comes to class singing in tune. Or I hear a 20-month-old keeping a steady beat on the drum for a whole song. I get goosebumps!

What is your favorite Caedmon memory?

I make new favorite memories every week! I’ll give one example, though: I came to the Dining Hall to have lunch with Kindergarten, and as I approached the stairwell, I heard the unmistakable refrain of “Rattlin’ Bog” - all four tables were bellowing away in unison, lunch plates untouched. Ms. McGregor cocked an eyebrow at me when I entered, and I confessed, “Yes, it’s my fault!” with a big grin.

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

I grew up in southern Ohio, on a suburban street sandwiched between two corn fields. After college and graduate school in Massachusetts, I came to New York and spent several years performing in regional theater, opera, and professional choruses while teaching voice at Caedmon. I married the guitar teacher from that summer camp in the Berkshires, and when our children came, of course we sent them to Caedmon - I was in awe of the personal attention given to each student. Two of my children are now in college! On the weekends, I coordinate the Spanish music ministry at a church in midtown. My hobbies include reading, making greeting cards, following Yankees baseball, and spoiling my little dog.

If your Caedmon Story had a title, what would it be?

Planting Seeds in a Musical Garden

Be sure to follow Ms. Kilbane on Twitter at @CaedmonMusic!