Annie Ray is a the Orchestra Director and Performing Arts Department Manager at Annandale High School, and recipient of the 2024 Music Educator Award at this year’s Grammys. She studied at the University of North Texas, doing a double major with Harp Performance and Music Education and began teaching at Annandale High School in 2020. Throughout the interview she shares practical advice on how to approach teaching music, and her messages of authenticity, inclusivity and meeting every student where they are at is so inspiring. Of course we touch on her experience attending the Grammys and meeting some exciting celebrities as well!
CONNECT WITH ANNIE RAY:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annie.lehman1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blondeharpy/
Email: amray@fcps.edu
ANNIE’S EPISODE RESOURCES:
Fav Composer: Katie O’Hara LaBrie
Fav Piece of Classical Music: Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 “Resurrection”
Fav Movie Soundtrack: How To Train Your Dragon
Book Rec: How To Keep House When You’re Drowning by KC Davis
Musician You Admire: Irving Ray, Jacob Collier and Fulton Lee
Most Useful Phone App: Google Calendar
Resource Recommendation: Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau
Audible Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3VXwMWf
Amazon Music Free Trial: https://amzn.to/3W1Ttsr
OTHER LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED:
TIMECODES
00:00 Intro to OYC
01:14 Intro to Episode
02:26 Start of Interview
3:55 Annie’s Musical Background
6:09 Majoring in Performance and Music Ed
8:49 Transition into Career
10:30 Starting at Annandale High School
12:52 Intro to New Programs
13:49 Parents Orchestra
18:56 Crescendo Orchestra
29:35 Applying for a Grammy
33:28 Grammy experience
36:08 Taylor Swift chat
38:26 Finding joy and passion in classical music
43:26 Being authentically human at work and home
48:30 Advice for music educators
50:35 Rapid Fire Q&A
54:25 Final Piece of Advice
54:56 Connect on social media
55:49 Episode Outro
56:49 Next Episode Teaser
57:17 Annie and Irving’s Performance
ORCHESTRATING YOUR CAREER
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaCPf5xynqMHcFuQhCWrNCQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orchestratingyourcareer/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orchestratingyourcareer
ABOUT THE HOST
Rebekah Carpio received her BMus in clarinet performance from the Eastman School of Music. She was awarded a Fulbright grant to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their Orchestral Artistry program, which was in collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra. She then went on to receive her PhD, also from the Guildhall School, researching the impact of education and community work in conservatoire training.
CONNECT WITH REBEKAH
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitesbybekah
Websites: https://www.bitesbybekah.com
Swiftie Newsletter: https://dearreadernewsletter.substack.com/?r=33wk9p&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist
MUSIC IN THIS EPISODE
Theme Music composed by Ben Roundtree: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f0z6dZJL6GM
Annie and Irving’s Performance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etw78E1mGcw
PHOTO CREDIT
Annandale High School - https://annandalehs.fcps.edu/about/history
Photo of Annie and Class at Annandale - https://annandaletoday.com/annandale-teacher-annie-ray-wins-a-grammy/
Grammy for Educator - https://www.grammy.com/news/2024-music-educator-award-recipient-announced-annie-ray-2024-grammys
University of North Texas - https://www.unt.edu/locations/denton.html
Katie O’Hara Lebrie - https://www.katieoharalabrie.com
Jacob Collier - FilmMagic/FilmMagic for Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival
*OYC participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for your support!
