Neil Anderson
Coordinator, Visual and Performing Arts
Capistrano Unified School District
Biography
Originally from Scotland, Neil Anderson received his Bachelor of Music degree from San Diego State University in 2001. Receiving a double Bachelor’s Degree (Music Education and Woodwind Performance) and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, Neil Anderson is currently a doctoral student at Concordia University, Irvine studying Educational Leadership with an emphasis in beginning educator retention in the Visual and Performing Arts. Mr. Anderson has taught at both the High School and Community College levels.
Currently, in his 17th year in education, Mr. Anderson is the current Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for the Capistrano Unified School District. Before accepting this position, Mr. Anderson’s ensembles received Unanimous Superior ratings at local and regional festivals in each of his previous years. He has served as a clinician and adjudicator for marching competitions and concert festivals for regional and state band organizations throughout the United States. His groups have performed throughout the United States and Europe.
He was named one of the “40 Under Forty” by the City of Murrieta Chamber of Commerce in 2014; an honor given to the top 40 young professionals who are making an impact within the community. He has been a two-time semi-finalist for the GRAMMY Music Educator of the year award.
Mr. Anderson has served on the Board of Directors for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association and California Band Directors Association. He has professional affiliations with Music For All, California Music Education Association and National Association for Music Education. He is a lifetime member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Session Titles
Engaging Your Community: Tips and tricks for connecting with those outside of our programs.
Teacher
From social media to community performances to service days, this session navigates the way for music educators to engage with their community, to tell their story and to support and gain support from those outside of our programs.
If you build it: K-12 Vertical Articulation and its importance
Teacher
This session is geared toward looking at the vertical alignment of a music program. From elementary to middle school to high schools, this session provides resources for total program evaluation and long term success.
Surviving Year One: Beating the odds and not becoming a statistic
Teacher
The first year of teaching is both exhilarating and overwhelming. It is an opportunity to discover our values, find our voice, and lay the foundation for a successful career. For some, it can be uneasy and filled with critical challenges. In this session, we talk about finding our "why" as educators and talk about the realities of our profession to ensure foundations are laid for a successful career. Nobody wants to see others leave this noble profession, sometimes all we have to do is survive year one.
The "E" word: Demystifying the Evaluation Process
Teacher
In this session, participants will learn about what the evaluation process looks like through the eyes of an administrator. From goals and objectives, to student engagement, what does it all look like?
The First Five Years: Laying the foundation for a career of inspired teaching
Teacher
Careers can be made or broken within the first five years. We set our systems, get in to routines and establish our work ethic. Laying the proper ground work at the beginning, can set one up for a career of inspired teaching and music making.