New music director Shelley Durbin brings 36 years of teaching experience to the school and says her aim is to “make great music in great places with great friends.”
Her motto highlights her ultimate goal as an educator: fostering students’ confidence and independence, while ensuring they enjoy the experience of making music all the way along.
Durbin, who lives in Santa Cruz, chose to leave the music program at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton in favor of the shorter commute to Saratoga. In addition, she noted the school’s reputation for musical excellence and its welcoming and talented music educators.
While originally from California, Durbin moved as a child to Dallas, Texas, where she lived for 30 years before returning to the Bay Area. Her mother was a music major who taught piano lessons in her home, and her dad loved listening to records. Durbin started playing piano at the age 7 and flute at 9 while also singing in church.
She received her undergraduate degree in English education at Texas A&M, and a master’s degree in music from East Texas State University.
At the beginning of her music career, Durbin recounts that she was pushed to focus on her own musical performance. After changing schools, she decided to shift toward being an educator — a career path that fit her extroverted personality.
“I never was sure I wanted to spend hours upon hours in a practice room by myself, so I am very glad I have found a good fit that allows me to be immersed in music in a very collaborative manner,” she said.
Over her career, she’s taught in over 10 different subject areas: choir, band, orchestra, color guard, special education, musical theater, 7th and 8th grade language arts and AP Music Theory — she’s even coached tennis.
This year Durbin is teaching two choirs, the Philharmonic and String Orchestras and AP Music Theory class in addition to assisting the marching band.
Her approach to leading musical ensembles emphasizes developing independence so students can function without her instructions. Last year, she took the top orchestra at Amador Valley High School — their Symphony Orchestra — to the CMEA Music Festival, where they performed a challenging piano concerto without a conductor.
“Seeing students become independent and feel confident and empowered is one of the most thrilling things I experience,” she said.
Throughout the highs and lows of her educational journey, Durbin has learned the importance of procedure, foundation and habits in developing an excellent ensemble.
In all her classes, Durbin stresses the importance of gaining confidence as a performer while at the same time, not taking oneself too seriously.
“Life is going to have embarrassing moments and none of us are going to get through this without having those moments,” she said. “Just being able to laugh at yourself, take a breath, relax and move forward is super important.”
