Teacher: Choir and Music
By: Morgan Blechschmid and Chloe Rojak
November 5, 2021
Chosen for this week’s Staff Spotlight is Mrs. Kimberly Cipriani! Mrs. Cipriani has been teaching here at Brooklyn High School for the past fourteen years. She teaches a wide range of different age groups; she is a choir teacher for the older high school students and a music teacher for the younger students. She is also well-known for leading Brooklyn High School’s Drama Club and Show Choir, as well as instructing the school plays. Speaking of which, this year’s musical was just announced, and the Drama Club will be performing the Disney classic, Matilda.
Q: Why did you want to become a music teacher?
A: “I come from a very music involved family; a lot of my family members were music teachers. I started singing and performing when I was little, and music soon became a passion of mine. I wanted to bring that passion, as well as experience, into the classroom and share it with my students.”
Q: What has been your all-time favorite play to lead and instruct?
A: “Probably Beauty and The Beast. I performed Beauty and The Beast professionally and toured for about three and a half years, so the play was very special to me. When I put together the choreography for the high school play, I tried my best to combine the original choreography that I did with the national tour, as well as putting my own twists and critiques on it. Although the choreography for the play was modified, it was still very special to me to be able to share such an amazing play experience with my students.”
Q: How would you describe your experience as a music teacher at Brooklyn High School?
A: “It’s very fun because I’ve gotten to teach all different ages of students. I teach anywhere from kindergarten all the way up to twelfth grade. It’s always fun to watch all the different age groups grow and progress.”
Q: What makes Brooklyn special?
A: “Since Brooklyn is a small school, everyone seems so close, and for the most part, everyone seems to support each other, especially in the Drama Club. It’s fun to see everyone working together. Although Brooklyn is a small school, it’s still definitely a major, community-building experience for everybody.”
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
A: “I like to listen to a lot of audio books, I like to work in the garden, and I also like doing yoga.”
Q: Who or what developed your interest in music?
A: “Probably my mom because she was a piano and choir teacher, so from a very young age, I was exposed to the art of music.”
Q: What is your favorite genre of music? Favorite musician or band?
A: “I like 80s music, specifically Journey. I actually went and saw Journey in concert twice!”
Q: If you could take an all-expenses paid trip anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: “Probably to Paris. I just like French culture as well as the different variety of foods and what not.”
Thank you for allowing us to interview you, Mrs. Cipriani. We appreciate all that you do for the music-related programs here at Brooklyn High School. We cannot wait for Matilda!
THE RETURN OF THE EYE 