Monica Schwartz

Introduction: Monica Schwartz is a music educator, composer, and bassoonist. Monica attended the Peabody Conservatory of The Johns Hopkins University and obtained three undergraduate music degrees in composition, music education, and bassoon performance, with a minor in jazz voice on full tuition scholarship. She is nearing completion of a double masters in music education and composition also at Peabody. She has studied bassoon as an undergraduate with Linda Harwell (retired National Symphony), Truman Harris (National Symphony), Terry Ewell (Towson University), and Barrick Stees (Cleveland Orchestra while attending Interlochen Arts Camp). As of Fall 2010, Monica became music theory and bassoon faculty for the Peabody Preparatory and teaches private theory classes and bassoon lessons every week at the Baltimore campus. Monica also teaches private bassoon instruction from her home with a highly active studio of bassoonists of every age. An enthusiastic performer, Monica frequently freelances with local orchestras and cherishes performing chamber music. She meets frequently with the Columbia Chamber Winds and her bassoon quartet. Also a composer, her works have been featured abroad and locally. Wings of Fire, her chamber opera, was produced by the Peabody Opera Department. A recital of her bassoon works were performed in Tempe, Arizona at the International Double Reed Society Convention. In 2008, she presented a complete recital of her works. She has learned composition with Nicolas Maw, Thomas Benjamin, Mark Lanz Weiser, and Moris Cotel. Monica has been a band director in Howard County Public Schools since 2001 and has been nominated twice for Howard County for Music Teacher of the Year. Currently, she teaches all percussion, brass, and woodwinds instruments at Manor Woods Elementary School.