Written by Ben Cox – Students at Brownwood High School have had their first day back after summer break and gotten to know their new class schedule, found their new lockers, and choir students are getting to know their new Choir Teacher, Jennifer Reeves.
Reeves has returned to BISD after maternity leave from her position at what was then the Intermediate School. She’s filling the Choir Director position at the high school after well-loved Cindy Franklin moved to the metroplex area with her family.
“I had a great mentor at the time who allowed me to include the 6th grade in the choir Christmas concert, and the choir before that didn’t get to do much before that.” Reeves plans to include the 6th graders in future choir concerts, much as they were when she was teaching that grade.
Teaching in public school as well as private lessons, Reeves has been educating teens and young children in voice for years. Also a frequenter of the Lyric stage, Reeves was most recently seen in last year’s production of Oliver, and played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady as well as several other performances.
Reeves also worked with Woodland Heights music teacher Aaron Terry to prepare his students in their theater class in recent years.
A fountain of energy, Reeves is straining at the leash to get started. “I am looking forward to the kids! Every time I meet with the kids they’re excited! There’s something different about high school, they WANT this. They are craving something, and when I tell them ‘we are gonna work’ they are ready for it!”
Working hand-in-hand with Theater Department teacher Shannon Lee, Reeves is part of the learning process that is musical high school theater. She is especially excited to share her personal love of the theater with the cast of Newsies.
Plans for the current school year are top of mind for Reeves, but the future is also something that keeps Reeves thinking long term. From moving towards having the entire choir audition for All Region rather than allowing those who want to try out, to other grander ideas that are not quite ready for public consumption, Reeves is certainly planting her feet on the ground while reaching for the stars.
