Knightly News

He rebuilt a high school music program from 15 students to 120 performers. He’s performed at Carnegie Hall and once sang on the spot in Notre Dame Cathedral where Napoleon Bonaparte was crowned emperor. He has worked in music education for 15 years and still has the enthusiasm to match second graders. This is Lower School Music teacher Jordan Tupper.

Tupper joined Episcopal in January of this year. A four-year resident of Woodland Ridge subdivision, he previously trekked across the Mississippi to Port Allen High School where he was the band director. With a smile, Tupper says he gained roughly nine hours of commute time per week back by coming to Episcopal. After speaking with him, it’s clear that he gained much more. “I have the best job in the world,” he says enthusiastically.

That joyfulness is on full display as Tupper teaches second graders the words to the song “Blast Off” in preparation for their Morning Meeting musical debut. There is a twinkle in his eye as he plays guitar and students dance and sway. His love for music is compelling. “I have the opportunity to get kids excited about music,” he says. With such an enthusiastic teacher, it would be hard for students not to follow.

If he weren’t teaching students the fundamentals of music, Tupper says he’d likely be in church ministry. He was a music and religious studies major at Elon University, where he says he took as many music classes as possible. Tupper was in the marching band, jazz band and numerous ensembles. He performed in musical theater productions and sang in the choir. When it comes to new opportunities and adventures, Tupper tries not to say no, and that motto has led to amazing experiences.

The first time Tupper stood inside Carnegie Hall is something he’ll never forget. His eyes light up as he recalls feeling a sense of awe for the history of the space. “If you’re in the music world, you’re going to totally dork out,” he says while discussing the Beethoven and Mozart manuscripts on display. Tupper still feels amazement when remembering the National Youth Choir Tour trip to Europe where he sang on the spot of the coronation. Music has opened doors for Tupper, and he hopes to help young Episcopal musicians have the same experience.

Next school year, Tupper and others in the Visual and Performing Arts Department are re-imagining musical opportunities for some of the youngest Episcopal performers. Third and fourth grade students will participate in productions designed specifically for them. Tupper says families can expect students to enjoy a lot more stage time while learning the fundamentals of performance in age-appropriate ways. In addition, fifth grade students will continue to benefit from the opportunity to perform in the annual Lower/Middle School production.

Before that begins, Tupper has exciting plans for the upcoming summer. He and his wife and daughters will travel to London and the British Isles with extended family. He’ll also return to his home state of Maine to visit family and friends there. Tupper looks forward to a return to Carnegie Hall, where he’ll participate in the Summer Music Educators Workshop. The four-day experience brings together K-12 music teachers from throughout the country in an effort to energize and inspire them.

Tupper, who has been a music educator in high schools and colleges, has found his place in a corner classroom overlooking the Episcopal rain garden. He considers Morning Meeting presentations to be an extension of the music learning at Episcopal and strives to make each day special. He appreciates the value placed on helping students express their creativity. “It’s overwhelming how fast they learn,” he says. “It’s the little stuff that they get pumped up about.” Students are fortunate to have a music teacher who understands that and shares their enthusiasm.

Join us in welcoming Jordan to Episcopal. Share a comment with him below.

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