Contact Information:
Beach Park Middle School 40667 N. Green Bay Rd. Beach Park, Illinois 60099 847-596-5803 [email protected] |
Melissa Bennett, Director of BandsMelissa Bennett co-teaches the 6th Grade band with Mr. Okrzesik, and directs the 7th and 8th grade Symphonic Band. Melissa received her Bachelors of Music Education from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2017. While attending U of I, she played baritone in the Marching Illini and played euphonium in the Illinois Wind Symphony, Illinois Wind Orchestra, and Tuba Euphonium Ensemble. After graduation, Mrs. Bennett taught general music to preschool through 8th grade at St Bede Catholic School in Ingleside and St Gilbert Catholic School in Grayslake. In 2018, she spent a year as the assistant Band Director at Beach Park before moving onto work with the beginning band program from 2019 to 2023. She is excited to take on this new role as a former student of the Beach Park Band Program!
When Mrs. Bennett isn't at school, she enjoys baking, running, and crocheting. Mrs. Bennett plays euphonium in the North Suburban Wind Ensemble during the school year, and the Waukegan Band over the summers. |
Contact Information:
[email protected] Howe School 847-599-5362 Kenneth Murphy School 847-599-5052 Newport School 847-599-5330 Oak Crest School 847-599-5519 |
Rachel Carman, Elementary Band DirectorHello! I began teaching in BPD3 in 2023. I received my Bachelor of Music Education from Illinois Wesleyan University and Master of Music in Clarinet Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. I have taught music in northwest Illinois, Chicagoland, Indiana, and east central Illinois, in schools huge and tiny.
I have been playing clarinet since 5th grade beginning band! When I am not at school, I am probably in Fort Knox, Kentucky playing my clarinet and doing soldiery things as a Staff Sergeant with the 100th Army Band. I enlisted in 2015 as a 42R - Bandsperson. I enjoy my free time at home with Mr. Carman and Kitty. My hobbies include working on our new house, transforming our yard into a native wildlife haven, and helping monarch butterflies! I am very excited to be joining the BPD3 community and teaching our beginning musicians! Music is my vehicle, but my passion is teaching our students. |