The Nanuet Music Department has had a new addition to its staff this school year: Mr. Galbreath, or Mr. G, for short. After his first chorus concert with Nanuet, he is excited to share his experience working with students in both middle and high school.
The Virginia native majored in music education and jazz studies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. With skills in the saxophone, among other instruments, and interest in singing as well, he found music to be his passion and his future.
After graduation, he began his career in education in Virginia before moving to New York, where he taught in the city. Now, he’s ready to start a new chapter of his life in a suburban school district.
Mr. G teaches fifth- and sixth-grade Chorus and seventh- and eighth-grade Theater Arts, middle school band lessons, and, last but not least, high school Mixed Chorus. It’s a busy schedule, full of solfege and scales, but he assures his students that he loves his job.
“I love being here,” he said. “And you guys are really helping me out a lot!”
Besides teaching music, Mr. G is also a musician himself. He spends his time away from school playing the saxophone in three bands. He also sings and plays guitar, mainly performing in the city. Aside from his musical interests, Mr. G loves hanging out with his cat, Niema, playing D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) and video games, and cooking. As for the future, he insists his dream is to one day become a jazz professor at a prestigious university. But for now, Mr. G is enjoying his time at Nanuet.
After growing up in a small town similar to Nanuet, Mr. G appreciates how involved Nanuet is with music and how the students put their all into their extracurriculars.
His favorite part of teaching here is easy to name.
“The kids,” he said. “They are really just curious and want to learn.”
It’s clear that Mr. G’s drive for music, education, and the combination of the two, will take him and his students far and add to the exceptional reputation of Nanuet’s extraordinary Music Department.