Music Director

Mrs. Tamara Hopwood

Biography

It is with pleasure I am returning to St. Catherine School as the Music Director for my 12th year. I truly believe that Music affects and reflects our lives, as our lives and times reflect our music.

I graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Business. I spent 16 years as a corporate executive traveling the world, and 7 years as a stay-at-home mother. I then began my career as the Music Director at the school. I have over 50 years of musical experience, including piano, flute, guitar, voice, theatre, church and various types of performances. I have a passion for music and for children to learn. I believe that music adds to a child's education in many different ways. I have great enthusiasm for not only the subject of Music, but for St. Catherine School and Church community.

My curriculum includes a wide variety of learning methods that encompasses basic music theory, cross curriculum lessons, instrumentation, rhythm, understanding the mass, and fun singing many different types of music throughout the year. The highlights of the year include our production of the Advent program in December, and the Sending Ceremony in June for our graduates. The recorders are another exciting part of the curriculum for the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.  We will begin handbells with the 8th grade class this year!

My husband and I have been active members of St. Catherine church for over 22 years. We have two sons, both graduates of St. Catherine, one attending Bellarmine as a Sophomore and the other a Bellarmine grad attending Sonoma State Univeristy as a Freshman.  I am also the Liturgy Director for St. Catherine Church which allows me to tie the Catholic teaching and spirituality into the Music classroom.