Teaching Philosophy
I believe that all students can learn and that knowing your “why” should inform your learning. Further, I believe that the journey is not only more important than the destination, but ultimately creates the opportunity for your next move in the process of understanding the world. Music, therefore, should only be used as a tool to help foster better humans for a better world. Stop teaching music, start teaching humans.
Bio
Dr. Kellori Dower is the Dean of Visual and Performing Arts at Cypress College in Cypress, California. She was the director of two award-winning high school choral music programs prior to serving as Director of Choral Activities at the collegiate level. Past appointments have also included High School Principal, Asst. Principal and District Arts Administrator positions.
She was the 2016 recipient of the Outstanding Music Educator Award for the California Music Educators Association Southeastern section. Artistically, she has written several published choral works including performances of her work with the San Diego Symphony. Her most recent choral publication, Spiritual Songs, was published by Hal Leonard in the Henry Leck Creating Artistry Series. Her choral ensembles have performed in some of the most distinguished venues in the country, including Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall and New York’s Lincoln Center.
Dr. Dower is an active choral adjudicator and clinician and has conducted All-State and regional High School Honor ensembles across the U.S. She is the President of the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO) and is a member of the California Arts Council grant review committee. Dr. Dower also serves state choral directors as the R & R Chair for Two-Year Colleges with the California Choral Directors Association (CCDA). Her work and research regarding culture and music lead to the creation of collegiate courses in Rap and Hip Hop, Gospel Music and African-American folk compositions.
She is a proud mom of four, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a former mellophone player and drummer in the Marching Storm Band at Prairie View A & M University.