Receiving a quality education remains the cornerstone for landing a successful career and living a fulfilling life, and an important component of a well-rounded educational experience is music education.
The chances of becoming a music sensation may be slim, but regardless of career outcomes, the foundational lessons picked up in music classes create both smarter and kinder human beings. And while slim, even the most famous names in music were, at one time, ordinary students taking music classes. As reported by Newsweek, it was Taylor Swift’s music teacher who noticed “clear signs of her future in music” early on.
If you’re a prospective musician, the Department of Music at Lander University can continue to prepare you for opportunities in a variety of musical settings. Meanwhile, if you’re seeking a fulfilling career in music education, you can join scores of music educators who got their start at Lander through our B.S. in Music, K-12 Certification program. You’ll not only train as a musician, but also receive individual attention from faculty in both the Department of Music as well as the Department of Teacher Education, preparing you to pass along your passion for music to a new generation of musicians. And, you’ll be able to clearly articulate the value of music education to your students and the communities you serve.
You won’t be alone: Lander alumni are leading classrooms throughout South Carolina (and beyond), preparing students for success in college or in the workforce after graduation. Five of these alumni, who have taught music at various grade levels in their careers, have shared in their own words why music education is such an important part of that preparation.
Learn more now by visiting www.lander.edu/music.
Taylor Baxley ’20 - More than Music:
For Baxley, who teaches music at Woodfields Elementary School in Greenwood, music education reinforces skills across a variety of other academic disciplines. “Math concepts can be reinforced through rhythmic analysis,” she said, “language skills are scientifically proven to improve through exposure to musical sounds and lyrics, and historical periods and cultures can be analyzed through music from those areas and time periods.” Baxley also noted that music students see improvements in their “communication skills, determination, critical thinking skills, even physical health can be altered through involvement in music.”
Prior to Woodfields Elementary, Baxley taught at Ford Elementary in Laurens, while also working as the co-teacher of the gifted and talented music program in Laurens County School District 55. She also co-organized the district’s Fine Arts Camp in 2022. She is a paid member of the choir at First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, and has been hired to sing for many church services across the state since graduating from Lander. Baxley has also been an avid musical theatre performer since middle school, and made a recent return to the stage in musical productions, including her role as Regina in Rock of Ages for Anderson’s Market Theatre Company.
Baxley credits Lander for giving her the opportunities to grow as a musician as well as a music educator. “I was lucky to have music educators growing up that saw my potential and did everything they could to prepare me for a career in music,” Baxley said, “but I did not have access to many musical experiences in my small hometown. Lander’s small, but mighty, Music Department did a fantastic job at filling the gaps I had coming in as a freshman, while providing a well-rounded musical experience.”
Brittany Gionakis ’18 - A Relatable Experience for All Students:
Gionakis, who teaches elementary music for the Berkeley County School District, says that music creates a universal, relatable experience for students. “Everyone relates to music in some way,” she said. “No matter where someone comes from, what language they speak, or what mood they’re in, everyone can gather together through music, whether it’s playing instruments, learning notes and their values in my class, or even outside of my classroom, singing a song about the different terrains of South Carolina or their multiplication facts.”
Gionakis has been teaching for seven years, leading a 45-member chorus, co-facilitating her school’s theatre program, and editing the yearbook. She’s also served for the past three years on her school’s leadership team. In addition to preparing for the upcoming school year, she is currently taking courses to receive her Multi-lingual Learner (ML) certificate. Gionakis was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2021, which gave her the opportunity to serve on the Berkeley County School District’s Teacher Forum, as well as the district’s Leadership Council. She has also completed several professional development opportunities with the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), the Lowcountry chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and Quaver PD. Each summer, she also connects with other music educators around the world through the virtual Elementary Music Summit.
Gionakis says the relatable experience that is fostered in music education can also be found at Lander. “I personally went to Lander University for the community feel of the school, the Education Department, as well as the Music Department,” she said. “Lander University provided me with a well-rounded and balanced education, a network of friends and fellow music educators that teach all across the state and country, and skills that I still use to this day in my classroom.”
Terry O. Pruitt ’82 - Developing the Model South Carolina Graduate:
For Dr. Terry Pruitt, who serves as the chief academic officer for Spartanburg School District 7, music education plays an important role in preparing students for success, in college or in their future careers. “Music education is important for many reasons, but perhaps some of the most important reasons align with the 21st Century Learning Standards and the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate,” said Pruitt. “Studying and making music reinforces the goal of producing students who are creative, critical thinkers and problem solvers, collaborators, excellent communicators and team players with a strong work ethic who strive for excellence in all aspects of life.”
Prior to returning to his hometown of Spartanburg, Pruitt served as director of Bands, Drama, and Gifted Arts at Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School where his bands placed in the top 10 high school bands in South Carolina for 13 consecutive years. Pruitt also served in Hampton District One for 13 years, first as the principal of Wade Hampton High School and for five years as the district’s superintendent. Over his 42 years in education, Pruitt has directed many community theatre and school theatrical productions throughout South Carolina. He has previously been named as South Carolina District Administrator of the Year (2017) and South Carolina Arts Administrator of the Year (2014). In addition to his Lander degree, Pruitt holds a master’s in educational administration from The Citadel, and a doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University. He is a proud member of several boards and committees in the Spartanburg Community and throughout the state, including Lander University’s Board of Trustees.
Pruitt pays credit to his Lander education for his successes as a musician, educator and civic leader. “Lander prepared me for all aspects of my career, from serving as a band director to district superintendent to the role of chief academic officer by providing me with many leadership and growth opportunities,” Pruitt said. “I was constantly coached and taught that the ability to create and problem solve along with a commitment to community service that would serve me well throughout my life.”
Joey Bagwell ’94 - Engaging the Mind:
With nearly three decades of experience as a middle school band director, Bagwell enjoys teaching students who are usually learning to play instruments for the very first time. “There is so much research now about the benefits of learning music,” he said. “I see the light bulbs going off as they ‘figure out’ how to make a good sound, tap their toe, interpret the notes off the page, and quickly count the rhythms, all at the same time. Every part of their brains are being engaged.”
Bagwell spent his first 11 years at Northside Middle School in Greenwood, and has spent the last 18 years at Edgewood Middle School in Ninety Six. Under his direction, his bands have earned top honors at State Concert Performance Adjudications. His bands have also been previously selected to perform at the Grand National Adjudicators Invitational, a top performance venue in the Southeastern region of the United States. His bands have earned 22 consecutive Outstanding Performance Awards from the South Carolina Band Directors Association (SCBDA), the top award given to middle school bands in South Carolina, and more than 300 of his students have earned All-State and All-Region selections. His students have also played in the Ninety Six High School Wildcat Marching Band, which has won 10 Class 1A High School Marching Band Championships from SCBDA since 2006. Bagwell has also coached football, basketball and soccer.
Bagwell says the close-knit community at Lander is its strongest selling point. “I enjoyed my time at Lander University,” he said. “I met good lifelong friends and had great professors in the Music Department. I became very close to several professors and learned not only music, but also how to be a professional. This is one of the great benefits of going to Lander... I was close to my classmates and worked closely with all my professors—benefits I would not have received at a larger university.”
Krislynne Stowe ’22 - Establishing Belonging:
Stowe believes music classes give some students a community they might not have anywhere else while in school. “It gives students a sense of belonging to something greater than themselves,” she said. “Students who might not enjoy traditional classes find their passion in music and ultimately thrive in the supportive community it fosters.” In her eyes, music is more than just a class period for some students. “It is a family,” she said.
While at Lander, Stowe was a member of multiple ensembles, including the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble and the Student-Faculty Brass Quintets. She also served as Student Body Vice President for the Student Government Association, and was president of Lander’s NAfME chapter. She is currently director of bands at Great Falls High School, and was quickly recognized as a rising educator after being named Teacher of the Month by her school, and Rock Star Teacher of the Month by her district during her first year of teaching. Later that year, she was named the district’s Rookie Teacher of the Year, and recently finished her Master of Education in Trauma-Informed Education from Columbia College.
“Attending Lander University was the best decision I have ever made,” said Stowe. “Small class sizes allowed for personalized academic attention from faculty, and I was able to build meaningful and lasting connections with my classmates and professors. Lander’s comprehensive music education program, and Greenwood’s vibrant music community, provided me with the knowledge and confidence I needed to succeed in my career.”
Rewarding Education at an Affordable Price
While a college education is a game-changer in long-term career success, it shouldn’t burden you with loads of student debt. That’s why Lander University is proud to offer a world-class education at a price that students and their families can afford. We’ve kept our tuition frozen for nine consecutive years, and most students qualify for state and federal scholarships and grants that make the total cost of their Lander education even lower.
Lander’s B.S. in Music, K-12 Certification program couples that affordable price tag with a rewarding college experience. At Lander, you’ll become a proficient musician while simultaneously learning how to lead your own classrooms and music ensembles. And, you’ll work alongside Lander’s highly-credentialed music and education faculty to become a better educator, music maker and community leader.
Ready to get started? Apply now at www.lander.edu/apply.