Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Williams
Hi Megan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I started playing clarinet at 11 years old, I went from non-stop talking about being a marine biologist to non-stop talking about having a career as a music teacher. My teachers in Effingham County (near Savannah), were tremendously supportive and really are responsible for making it possible that I could attend the University of Georgia and major in music education. They gave me so much extra help and private lessons, they gave me the opportunity to be a high school drum major, and they showed me the opportunities that led me to apply and receive scholarships. My experience at UGA was life-changing. I learned so much from my clarinet professor and all of the music education faculty, but I really value most all of the friends who were in music school with me. Music school is a community and very unlike other majors. Many of those people are still my closest friends today, including my husband of 15 years who I met during my time in the Redcoat Band.
After college, I became a band director. I taught band for 16 years, and while I did love it I wanted to try and have a more balanced life once we had our first daughter. Band directing can be all consuming, and I decided to step back and work part-time. When the pandemic hit in 2020, my part-time position was eliminated. I thought that I would have a lot of trouble working during COVID, but a friend randomly suggested that I teach for a platform called Outschool. I taught over 400 students from dozens of countries all of the world on the online platform. I taught clarinet, band, and a really popular drumming class for 5-year olds. It was amazing to get to do that during the pandemic, and reach students of all ages all over the world teaching music. I’m so grateful that I got to teach students in Japan, New Zealand, South Africa – and I was able to support my family during a tumultuous time.
While I was teaching for Outschool, I applied to become the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. I had some non-profit experience as a volunteer and grant writer, and I honestly thought I had no chance to do something like that. In the interview with the board, I told them that it was a dream of mine to get to work with a youth orchestra, and to find ways to give back to the community through the MYSO program. When they picked me I was thrilled, but I knew I had a lot to learn. Our staff was really welcoming and helped me so much. We are so small (there’s only five of us) that we really run MYSO as a team.
Since coming to MYSO we have been able to accomplish so much for students in Atlanta. We’ve expanded to have a third orchestra for beginners, we’ve started a free summer workshop that serves 120+ students each year, and this year we’re taking our students to Columbus for a residency with the Columbus State University Orchestra. I still work as a clarinetist, and I teach woodwinds at schools, and I work for our state music education organization – but often times I think that what I get to do at MYSO makes the most difference in the Atlanta music community. I’m extremely grateful for all that we get to do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It was definitely hard to transition from band directing to working with non-profits and teaching clarinet. When I lost my part-time job during the pandemic, it was honestly a huge blessing in hindsight. I don’t know that I would have outright quit being a band director without being forced to by job loss. I’m so glad I did. I love teaching clarinet and I love working with MYSO Atlanta and GMEA. I get to tour colleges and speak to students, and I get to make a difference in kids lives as their clarinet teacher. Not to mention all of the good we get to do through MYSO and how we get to serve Atlanta music students. I’m not saying I won’t ever go back to teaching band, but I am truly grateful for all of the work I get to do now. And, I’m extremely grateful for my time as a band director. I believe I can help teachers and student so much more effectively from the experiences I had as a classroom teacher.
We’ve been impressed with MYSO Atlanta, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
MYSO Atlanta is a youth orchestra program that has served metro-Atlanta for the past 35 years. We are a vibrant community-driven organization dedicated to serving 170 student musicians annually and fostering a deep appreciation for orchestral music. Founded on the belief that every child should have access to quality music education and performance opportunities, MYSO Atlanta offers a range of programs tailored to various skill levels and age groups. From its advanced symphony orchestra to chamber music ensembles and free educational workshops, MYSO provides a supportive environment where young musicians can hone their talents, build lasting friendships, and experience the joy of creating music together. We are also constantly striving to collaborate with our community – we moved our rehearsal space to Drew Charter School in East Lake in order to connect with that community and bring music opportunities to Drew. We also work constantly with the Georgia State School of Music by providing collegiate music students opportunities to teach our MYSO students and gain real world experiences.
I would be remiss to not mention our amazing staff and conductors – Dr. Cathie Hudnall, Mr. Carl Rieke, and Ms. Barrie Herman. Additionally this year we will be welcoming two graduate students from Georgia State University, Meeka Sivilay and Stephanie Morera. All of the people who work for MYSO are dedicated to giving the students a quality experience that goes above and beyond their classroom music making.
What were you like growing up?
Until I started making music, I honestly got in a lot of trouble. I thought I knew everything, and I was needlessly argumentative with teachers. I had a teacher who did her nails every day and didn’t really teach us anything – I gave that lady hell. I ended up doing an independent study for 8th grade English because I wanted to do something besides the comma worksheets she handed out. I’m really lucky I had a whole lot of teachers who saw that I was smart and wanted more and gave me opportunities. I was interested in music non-stop in middle school and high school, and music is what really what motivated me to do better and treat adults better. I practiced two hours a day in high school, and pretty much everything I was involved in was music related. I am sincerely a walking poster child for music changing the direction of a person’s life.
I also loved Model United Nations. Probably why I am one of those adults that re-watches Parks and Recreation constantly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mysoatlanta.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MYSOAtlanta
Image Credits
Dave Martinez, photographer
