Students Experience the Joy of Music: An Interview
Interview with Beth Bauer, Ph.D., beth.bauer@wheaton.edu
Community School of the Arts, Wheaton College
By Kathleen Farrand, Doctoral Candidate, The Ohio State University
Farrand.9@buckeyemail.osu.edu
Earlier this year I was reading an article about the first student with
visual impairments that enrolled in the Beethoven's Buddies program at
Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. I was inspired by how this student's
musical gift was discovered with the instruction of Dr. Beth Bauer. Dr. Bauer
is an educator that works tirelessly to include students with disabilities to
unlock their musical talents and showcase them for others. Her passion for
teaching music to students with disabilities is obvious. This article contains
the report of an interview with Dr. Bauer describing the Beethoven's Buddies
program and her work with her students.
Q: What is your role in the Beethoven's Buddies music program?
Dr. Bauer: I am the founder and coordinator of the program. I also teach
private piano and have a second teacher who teaches piano and runs the
chimes program.
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