I'm Mrs. Skolrud, the Orchestra Teacher at Cortina, Centennial, and San Tan Elementary schools. It is one of my passions to teach beginning Orchestra! I love setting the correct foundation so students can be successful in middle school, high school, and beyond. I want students to learn to enjoy music for a lifetime. I have taught beginning through high school orchestra in three different districts and two states. This gives me an advantage as I know what students need to know at each level.

 

I know that learning to play a string instrument can be challenging but I work to make it fun so all students can be successful. I have been teaching music in the private and public schools for over 20 years. I am a product of public-school orchestra beginning on cello in the 6th grade. I also played a little double bass in high school. Orchestra soon became an important part of my life. The friends I made in Orchestra became some of my closest friends throughout high school.

 

I graduated summa cum laude, with a B.A. from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, CA. Additionally, I have taken advanced string technique classes where I focused on violin so that I could be an even better violin/viola teacher for my students. Music has always been an important part of my life and family. I am married to my wonderful husband and we have three children, who all did orchestra and band. In my free time I am a voracious reader.