It has now been one school year since Ms. Kasky had started her position as the new band teacher after Mr. Hollister’s retirement. How has she settled into her new job, and what has she done so far?
Ms. Kasky received her undergraduate degree from Ithaca College, and then her Masters in Music from the Longy School of Music.
“Mrs. Goodemote was my inspiration for becoming a music teacher,” Ms. Kasky said. “I loved being in band with her, and I knew I wanted to be just like her when I grew up.”
Previously, Ms. Kasky taught music in a different school district, so working here in New Hartford is a little different for her.
“There is a very large community support here for music and arts specifically,” she said. “Unfortunately, a lot of schools do not have this, so it is a very welcome change while coming here.”
Before becoming an official band teacher, Ms. Kasky was an instructor for the New Hartford Marching Band. While instructing the brass in the marching band, she has learned very valuable lessons, but also has to adjust her teaching style for directing the Symphonic Band.
“A major difference between instructing the Symphonic Band and the Marching Band is that I have to work with all sections here [in the high school] whereas I usually stick with the brass in Marching Band,” she said. “I have to be more proficient in all aspects, and adapt my teaching style to be more high school appropriate.”
Ms. Kasky is a New Hartford alumna, and noted some things that have changed within the music department since she was a student.
“Obviously, there are different people in the department, but compared to when I was in high school, the average age of the staff is definitely younger now,” she said. “This brings a different vibe and environment to everything, and we usually have more modern musical selections as a result.”
After a full school year, Ms. Kasky has gained many insights into teaching here at New Hartford. She has successfully instructed the band for four concerts and many pieces of music.
“I feel very settled now that I’ve gotten a full school year under my belt,” she said. “I have a good idea of what works and what doesn’t, so now I feel more prepared for the following years to come.”
For the future of the music department, Ms. Kasky will continue to strive for excellence and work towards further developing musicianship while maintaining a fun and enjoyable environment.
Mrs. Lotyczewski is also a rather recent addition to the music department at New Hartford. She is the middle school and high school Choir teacher, and has worked closely with Ms. Kasky this year. She first met Ms. Kasky during her interview last year.
“We both get along very well,” Mrs. Lotyczewski said. “We compliment each other in a lot of ways.”
Before this year, Mrs. Lotyczewski worked along with Mr. Hollister, who was a very different teacher than Ms. Kasky.
“Mr. Hollister had a very similar teaching style to what I grew up with,” she said. “He is friends with a lot of my former teachers, and it felt like teaching with my former band teacher.”
“Ms. Kasky takes that similar experience and brings new energy, perspectives, and ideas,” Mrs. Lotyczewski adds.
During this year’s Masque production of “Xanadu,” Ms. Kasky was the pit director. She conducted a small group of musicians who played the background music and sound effects for the show on stage.
“She was incredibly prepared,” Mrs. Lotyczewski said. “She came in knowing every cue, practiced all of the music, and came in every day with her own copy of the score and script to make sure everything lined up perfectly the way that it needed to.”
“Honestly, in 18 years of teaching, this year was one of the easiest transitions into working with the pit,” she added.
After a full school year, Ms. Kasky is now settled into teaching here at New Hartford, and plans to spend many more years here. She brings a new energy to the music department, and her fellow music teachers thoroughly enjoy working with her.
