About Me: I have a Bachelors Degree in Music with an emphasis in Composition and Technology from the University of Montana where I had the opportunity to study with Dr. Charles Nichols, Professor Patrick Williams, and Dr. Beryl Lee Heuermann- three very talented composers, & musicians who believed in my abilities as a composer and as a musician. After receiving my Bachelors degree, I spent some time working for after school programs, summer camps, and preschools and landed a position at a bank. I worked at the bank for several years, but found that I yearned to teach music. At age 30, I went back to Colorado State University for a Masters Degree in Music Education. My professors at Colorado State University believed in my abilities and passion to be an educator. They pushed me to be more thoughtful and curious. I enjoy research and strive to provide my students with a quality music education.
I value music education because of the many elements it holds. I believe the strongest and most powerful elements about music is that it can empower students to be creative problem solvers, and for the connection and sense of community music can provide. Click on this link to see my teaching philosophy naomi_wright_teaching_philosophy.pdf
Part of my research as an educator includes exploring ways to make music more accessible for non-normative learners. I myself am a non-normative learner. I struggled in High School and through college. After receiving my bachelors degree, I found out that I have dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and ADHD. In my Masters program I learned to advocate for myself, I gained a deeper understanding of tools I need to thrive, and I utilized my accommodations. I have learned so much from being a non-normative learner and look forward to teaching students how to advocate for themselves.
I grew up in Stevensville, MT, a valley tucked between the Sapphire and Bitterroot Mountain Ranges, about 30 minutes from Missoula. Growing up in a small town, I listened to country, rock, and pop genres & believe this is where my simplistic melodies derive from. In my angsty-teenage-headbanging years, my favorite bands were Papa Roach, Limp Bizkit, Beastie Boys, and Godsmack because of their rhythmic drive and "angsty" sound. I'm especially a fan of their ballads because of the emo, thoughtful and realistic feelings they portray. My love for music was sparked by a friend who played Happy Birthday on the violin. I wanted to play the violin, but my parents thought piano would be in my best interest. They were right, the piano made it so that I can read and write music. My piano teacher gave me the confidence I needed. Due to a recent discovery of several learning disabilities, I struggled academically for many years, but I felt like music was something that came easily to me, it was something that I understood and something that I was good at. My mothers love of theatre sparked my interest as a performer and as a singer. I went to theatre camps and started studying voice at 13. The moment I heard a student singing one of the Italian arias in her lesson, before mine, I knew that I wanted to be trained as a classical singer. Around this time I also started writing flute duets (I played flute in band) and arranging choral pieces. I also wrote a few cheesy jingles including "We've seen better days" and "George the weather guy" (George the weather guy was always right :) ), I dont know where I came up with this stuff. Anyways, I started studying voice seriously with Dr. Gary Funk who taught choir for many years at UM. One week I brought in a composition, Dr. Funk looked over my piece, suggested similar pieces/composers, and gave me suggestions what I could do to make the piece better. He was one of the first people to ever take my compositions seriously and this made me want to continue composing. I currently fall under the Neo-classical category, and enjoy writing for solo voice, and choir. However, I don't want to limit myself as a composer, and am open to writing for any genre, any instrument, and any ensemble. I am always looking to collaborate with poets, or other artists.
Besides composing, singing, or teaching, I love to spend time outdoors, with all animals but especially my guinea pig, I love crocheting, designing imaginary homes, and writing comedy sketches & participating in improv classes- I love to laugh!