Gretchen Woell's Teaching Portfolio
"When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don't even notice"
- Sarah Vaughan
About Me
My name is Gretchen Woell and I am based in Chicago, Illinois in the Lakeview area. Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I cannot think of a better way to spend my time then sharing it and teaching it to others. I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hope College, where I received a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Music Education. I also completed both my PEL and SUB certifications in the state of Illinois. For the past year I have been working as a private lesson instructor for Musical Chairs Studio, and I also work as a substitute teacher.
I am the youngest of four girls in my family, and both of my parents are educators- my dad a superintendent, my mom an early childhood teacher. One of my three sisters also studied music education, but she took the instrumental route! In my spare time I love to read, run, make music, and take care of my plants:)
Education
2019-2023
K-12 Vocal Music Education
Hope College
I started at Hope in the Fall of 2019. It was the only semester that wasn't impacted by Covid. I graduated Magna Cum Laude, and was on the Dean's List every semester. I am proud of these accomplishments especially due to dealing with Covid for seven of my eight semesters of my college career.
Travel
Aloha May Term 2022
In May of 2022, I was able to travel to Oahu, Hawaii to study stories of struggle of native Hawaiian families throughout the history of Hawaiian culture. This experience was an amazing opportunity to learn about the effects of tourism and gentrification on native peoples. It also reiterated to me the fact that humans are all impacted and influenced by the people whom come before us
Honors
Chapel Choir President
Dawn Upshaw
Chicago Tap Theater
I made the Dean's List every semester at Hope. I have great pride about that seeing as my college experience was uniquely challenging due to Covid. I was fortunate to serve as Hope College's Chapel Choir President for a year and a half. I learned how to communicate clearly and effectively with peers and administrators. In addition, I gained knowledge on how to function as a leader in music and life.
My Junior year at Hope I had the honor of performing for five-time grammy winner Dawn Upshaw. Performing for Ms. Upshaw was an opportunity of a lifetime, and I am incredibly honored to have been taught by such an incredible musician. In February of 2023, I was invited along with a group of Hope dancers to perform at the Chicago Tap Theater's 20th anniversary show and gala. It was incredible to work with tap dancers and musicians who understand music in such a different way than I do. I have become ten times the musican I was coming into College not only due to my training as a singer but through my work with the Hope College Dance Department.