EXPERIENCE

Nichols School, New York (575 students, grades 5-12)                                                                                                        July 2019 - Present

Vocal Music Director, Digital Music Instructor, Advisor

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Grew the Nichols Concert Choir to include 25% of the Upper School student body. 

  • Designed and implemented a Digital Music Production class that develops performance skills, theory and composition with technology.

  • Selected to serve on multiple committees including Curricular Review, Scheduling, Evidenced-based and Equitable Grading PLC, and Faculty Searches.

Cate School, Boarding School, California (270 students, grades 9-12) July 2009 - July 2019

Vocal Music Director, Theater Director, Dorm Faculty, Advisor   

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Revived the Performing Arts Department at Cate School: created a three-tiered choral program to include 38% of the student body including an “all-comers” Chorale, an auditioned Camerata, and a student a cappella group, No Strings Attached

  • Produced and directed 20 fully staged theatrical performances: www.jessicakblock.com

  • 2014 winner of Cate School Centennial Award for Teaching Excellence

  • “Choral Excellence Chair” fund within the Cate Endowment was established in my name through a generous donation by the parents of a graduate.

Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain, Nevada (MS: 225 students, grades 5-8)    August 2005 - June 2009

Arts Department Coordinator, Musical Theater Instructor,   

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Created a Middle School Musical Theater program involving 60% of the students in the Middle School, in a variety of performances and electives

  • Collaborated with Choral Director for vocal concerts

  • Student Council Advisor

Pacific Northern Academy, Alaska (210 students, EK-12)                August 2000 - June 2005

EK - 12 grade Performing Arts Chair, 3-12 grade Choral Director, EK - 4th grade Classroom Music Teacher, Musical Theater Director

ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Developed K-5 classroom music curriculum including Orff and Kodaly methodologies

  • Built a choral and musical theater program to include 99% participation rate among student body

  • 2004 winner of Music Teacher of the Year - awarded by City of Anchorage Concert Association

St. Nicholas Parish                                                                       September 1994 - June 1996

Choir Director

Cantabile Children’s Chorus of the Peninsula                   January 1993 - June 1996

Director of Beginning and Intermediate Choirs

EDUCATION

American Orff-Schulwerk Association                                                             July 2002

Recipient Orff Certification Level 1

San Jose State University                                                                         December 1995

BM with vocal performance emphasis, cum laude

1991 Winner of Eisteddfod “Choir of the World”

Studied Choral Conducting with Charlene Archibeque,