Ferris choir teacher named music educator of the year

Barbara Tappa, a choir teacher at Ferris High School, has no illusions of grandeur. She knows that most of her students won’t continue with music after they graduate. So, she tries to leave them with something that will stick.

“I’m trying to teach the kids empathy and trying to understand what that means,” she said. “That the picture is bigger than me.”

That philosophy, combined with a string of excellent performing groups and a penchant for leadership earned Tappa the 2015 Washington Music Educators Association high school music educator of the year award.

“The awards committee was impressed with the strength and quality of the work you have done as an outstanding educator, the consistent quality of your performing groups, and your leadership at the regional and state level,” the association said in a letter. “The impact you have had on students, the community and the music education in Washington state has been remarkable.”

Tappa said the award humbles her, and, ironically enough, drives her to be a better teacher.

“Do I deserve this? I don’t know,” she said. “It makes me think twice when I’m teaching. I’m double-checking my work, making sure I deserve this.”

Ferris Principal Ken Schutz said Tappa’s classes are in high demand. Although Ferris’ music program as a whole is excellent, he said Tappa stands out with her ability to connect with and inspire her students.

“She builds incredible relationships with her kids,” he said. “The other thing that she really does through music that I think is so powerful is that they don’t just sing. The kids understand what they’re singing.”

That’s intentional, Tappa said. She chooses musical pieces that have a larger meaning. For instance, this year the choir performed “Requiem,” a piece about the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean. The pieces she chooses range from the secular to the sacred. However, they all attempt to broaden her students’ worldviews.

Another important aspect of Tappa’s teaching philosophy is providing a sense of community for her students.

“If you were to talk to my kids they would say choir is a family,” she said.

Tappa was a music major at Western Washington University, where she met her husband. In addition to teaching, Tappa is a member of the Spokane Choral Artists and the Women’s Community Choir.

Tappa will be presented the award Feb. 13 at the Washington Music Educators Association’s state conference in Yakima.

“I was so humbled and honored to be given this award,” she said.