The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year for a music teacher, and this year was no different for Nicole Biollo. She is the music teacher at Vera M. Welsh Elementary School. She has been there for nine years and has been the main musical organizer of the Christmas concerts every year.
Biollo works with students in pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3. The students spend the three weeks leading up to the week of Christmas concerts in Biollo's musical hands. The efforts of both teacher and students shine on the stage for hundreds of parents, family and friends to see. Biollo said the shows are about the kids, and she tries to teach them their roles so the performances are memorable for the audience and the performers.
“I always like the big events for kids. I think that’s a big thing for them to remember. I think they remember the fun and the hype of it. I always make a big deal of it over the years.
Biollo says the skits and songs, the actions and dances are all taught in those three weeks. Each year, she's impressed by how well the young students catch on.
Keeping it fresh
Students get to incorporate singing, instruments, and movement along with acting in the Christmas concerts, and Biollo likes to mix it up every year, trying to come up with new ideas that the students haven’t done before.
“I’ve done flashlight routines before,” says Biollo. “I try to be creative. Every year I do something different if I can — because I get tired of the same stuff too," she said with a laugh. "And I know families appreciate new stuff as well.”
After nine years of rehersals and piano-playing, movement directing and choir coaching, Biollo says there's one big reason she continues to enjoy the role.
“Just seeing the smiles on their faces when they get to shine," she said.
