3 minute read
Meet Lisa Wichman, Peck's Lower School Music Teacher
When Lisa Wichman was in middle school, her piano instructor told her she would never realize her dream of being a concert pianist.
From childhood, Wichman has been in love with music as a way to process and express her emotions. The family piano became her solace, a source of calm and comfort, especially against the backdrop of a busy family of seven.
She dreamed of playing “Für Elise” like her mom, even though her first teacher said her hands were too small to ever play at a high level. However, through the encouragement of her mom and her middle school choir director Mrs. Huckle, Wichman persevered in her study and practice of piano.
“No one can tell you no,” Wichman says. “Mrs. Huckle took me under her wing, and she pushed me. She changed the course of my life. She always knew that I was going to move forward with music.”
Now, in her more than 30-year career in music education, Wichman has had some incredible opportunities to provide piano accompaniment for choirs at The White House and Carnegie Hall, just to name a few.
“My goal isn’t for [my students] to be concert pianists like me, or even study music in college—but rather, 30 years from now, to be able to chant and keep the beat at a sporting event, or tunefully sing “Happy Birthday” or a lullaby to their child, or be fully present at concert, where they can appreciate the artistry and emotion of the music.”
Lisa Wichman leads The Peck School's Lower School (grades K-4) music program, serving as Lower School Music Teacher, Lower School Choir Director, and Handbell director.
Everyone has an artful self, sometimes deep inside, and my role is to draw it out.
Wichman has an extensive background in teaching elementary and middle school general, choral, and handbell music. Her innovative ideas and passion for teaching have nurtured a love of music for thousands of children.
Recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of arts education, Wichman was honored with the prestigious New Jersey Governor's Award in Arts Education.
In 2019, she was named NJMEA “Master Music Teacher of New Jersey.” She is also a recipient of the Governor’s Teacher of the Year Recognition Award, and numerous other grants and recognitions for her teaching.
She serves as chairperson of the North Jersey School Music Association Elementary Music Division, an NJMEA organization that has received accolades for its tremendous impact on elementary music education in New Jersey. Wichman is an active session presenter at local, state, and eastern division music educator conferences.
In demand as a collaborative pianist, she accompanies school and honor choirs throughout New Jersey. She is honored to have performed at Carnegie Hall multiple times, at NJPAC and at The White House.
Wichman holds a BME cum laude in Music Education from Wittenberg University and advanced certifications from Westminster Choir College. She holds a Kodaly Certification from Westminster Choir College, and received a Dodge Foundation Grant to further study the Kodaly Methodology. She also holds certification in First Steps in Music and Kindermusik Beginnings.
The Peck School is a K-8, co-ed, independent school in Morristown, NJ. www.peckschool.org
We set the standard for excellence in K-8 education, where academic preparation and character development intersect powerfully in the learning experience. By embedding consideration of others, service, and belonging in all that we do, we are designing an integrated approach to education that develops curious and disciplined learners who positively shape the world.
