Teacher Spotlight: Mike Raposo
For JK–8 Performing Arts Chair Mike Raposo, his role as teacher and performer aren’t separate from one another. “It's never been an option for me to not teach, just like it's never been an option for me to not perform. I think, in many ways, as a musician, the skills you develop teaching make you a better performer, and the skills you develop performing make you a better teacher. What and how I teach my students is heavily influenced by my experiences as a performer.”
And Mr. Raposo certainly has a lot of experience performing. He has a diverse career as a woodwind player in New York City. He has been a concerto soloist with the Hartford Symphony, played saxophone with Aretha Franklin, and has been a part of the orchestras for some of the biggest Broadway shows, including “Wicked,” “Aladdin,” “Parade,” “Kimberly Akimbo,” “Some Like It Hot,” “Spamalot,” and “The Wiz.” He is currently one of the woodwind players in “Elf,” playing saxophone, clarinet, flute, and bassoon.
Mr. Raposo’s views on the symbiotic relationship between teaching and performing led to the expansion of the afterschool music program. The program’s instructors are performers themselves, who have a passion for passing down their knowledge to the next generation of musicians. Beyond providing extraordinary technical instruction, Mr. Raposo and his fellow musicians, who balance teaching and performing, model a superior work ethic for students. “With these direct connections to the music scene in NYC, we are able to take advantage of the city as a first-hand cultural resource to support our music curriculum,” he says.
For Mr. Raposo, like others with a deep love of music, his goal as a teacher extends beyond the here and now. “There is a deep parallel between the craft of teaching and being a musician. Both are developed through years of study, LOTS of practice, and surrounding yourself with people who will support your growth. I have learned so much over my last few years at Grace and look forward to continuing to develop each craft to share with the next generation of music lovers and makers at Grace!