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An educator with a specific focus in music, Robert Styron holds a master of arts in public administration from the University of New Orleans and a master of arts in music education from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Highlights of Robert Styron’s two-decade career in youth music instruction include tenures as a choir director with the Rocky Mountain Children’s Choir, now known as The Denver Children’s Choir in Denver, Colorado; a choir director with Mapleton Public Schools in Thornton, Colorado; a music director/coordinator with the St. Tammany Parish School District in St. Tammany, Louisiana; and a K-12 music teacher with the Vail Mountain School in Vail, Colorado. From 2004 to 2018, Mr. Styron directed vocal music for the Denver School of the Arts in Denver, Colorado. This position placed him in charge of curriculum development and administrative oversight for a musical institution of learning that serves students from grade 6 to 12. Currently based in greater New Orleans, Robert Styron has served as a music instructor for Andy Hymel’s School of Music since June of 2019. Drawing upon a long history of musical performance with several different Colorado and Louisiana bands, he also plays keyboards with The Stays.

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Key Traits for Inspiring Music Teachers

A teacher who imparts musical knowledge possesses skills beyond technical expertise. While a love for music is essential, an effective teacher sparks interest in students, encouraging them to explore the craft independently.

Teaching music requires patience and understanding to support students who learn at different speeds. A skilled teacher offers consistent guidance and encouragement, creating a supportive learning environment.

Strong communication skills are essential for explaining concepts clearly and giving constructive feedback. These skills also help build rapport with students and foster mutual respect.

Engaging in music lessons depends on creativity. Effective teachers use innovative methods to make learning enjoyable and connect lessons to students’ interests. Recognizing that every student is unique, they adjust their teaching style to match individual preferences and needs.

A music teacher who combines these qualities provides students with the tools to develop their skills and build a lasting appreciation for music. This foundation encourages personal growth and a deeper connection to the art form.

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Master the Basics of Sailing and Hit the Water with Confidence

Learning the basics of sailing is a relatively straightforward process, but true mastery comes from hundreds of hours on the water. Sailing requires knowledge, practice, and a sense of the wind and how the boat responds.

As a beginner, you’ll need to get comfortable with sailing terminology. Many terms in sailing are uncommon, such as “course over ground,” “eye of the world,” “gybing,” “halyard,” “helms alee,” “port,” “rode,” “leeward,” “starboard,” “tacking,” and “velocity made good.” Take time to familiarize yourself with these terms before ever stepping onto a boat, as you will feel more at ease once you do.

Next, learn about points of sail. These refer to the different directions a sailboat can navigate and the sail positions required to achieve them. Terms like “beam,” “broad,” “close reach,” and others describe how the wind hits the boat and how to adjust the sails to maximize speed. When the wind comes directly at the bow, for instance, you may find yourself "in irons," which is a position you want to avoid.

Understanding the boat's parts will help you respond correctly when an instructor gives instructions. Knowing the meaning of terms like “ease the jib sheet” or “luff the main” might keep you from making mistakes on your first day. Beginners might find boat parts such as vang, downhaul, mizzen, centerboard, and boltrope both intriguing and helpful. And remember, there are no "ropes" on a boat (only lines, which is another key term to grasp).

The Internet offers many instructional videos to help you learn the terminology. Professional sailing courses are often more structured and will help you learn more quickly, focusing on doing things the right way. If you prepare ahead of time for your first day, you’ll likely adjust more easily.

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Choosing a Boat for Beginners in Water Skiing

Water skiing is an exhilarating water sport that combines skill, balance, and speed, offering both recreational enjoyment and competitive play. The core challenge is to maintain balance on skis while being towed by a boat, with advanced stunts after sufficient instruction and practice.

A key component of water skiing is the boat, and for beginners, selecting the right one is crucial for ease of learning. A tournament inboard direct drive boat is often recommended for beginners. This type of boat has its engine in the center, providing balanced weight distribution, and produces flatter wakes, making it easier for beginners to ski behind.

An alternative boat is a multi-sport boat that other water sports use. Regardless of type, it’s essential to ensure that the boat has enough power. A 70-horsepower boat capable of reaching 20 to 25 miles an hour is good enough for a beginner. However, boats with at least 150 horsepower are more ideal for water skiing.

Low-power outboard-driven boats and pontoons are not suitable for water skiing. Such boats may slow down or even stop when the skier makes sharp turns. Boats with engines under 50 horsepower are better suited for activities like kneeboarding or slow tubing rather than water skiing.

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The Bobby G Awards

While working towards his degrees, Robert Stryon took part in student government and regularly made the university’s Dean’s List.

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The ACDA’s Choral Journal for Choral Professionals

A resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, Robert Styron is an experienced musician and music educator. Robert Styron served as the director of vocal music at the Denver School of Arts from 2004 to 2018…

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ACDA's Second Symposium on Research in Choral Singing

In addition to working as a resident artist at the Hymel School of Music, Robert Styron shares his musical talent in the New Orleans music scene. Experienced in areas ranging from music directing to teaching, Robert Styron belongs to professional organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). A nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting high-quality choral music, ACDA encourages performance, new music development, and music education programs, as well as research. It will hold its second Symposium on Research in Choral Singing in Atlanta at Georgia State University from May 1-2, 2020. This symposium offers a variety of presentations for attendees to delve into topics such as choral pedagogy, singing, vocal development, inclusion, and community and school partnerships. The event serves to guide future research in the field. Registration for the symposium covers a light supper on Friday, lunch on Saturday, and snacks throughout both days. For more information or to register with the $85 fee, visit the ACDA website at www.acda.org.