Music
The Winnetka Public Schools uses the Understanding by Design approach to curriculum development and documentation. This framework is used to design learning experiences and assessment with the end in mind: student outcomes. The identified student outcomes are categorized into three types: Know, Understand and Do (KUD). Transfer goals and essential questions are also part of the Understanding by Design framework as well. Transfer goals consider how and when students will use the skills, knowledge and understandings learned in particular units to other learning and life experiences. Whereas essential questions are thought-provoking questions that will foster inquiry, meaning-making, and transfer.
To view the transfer goals, essential questions, as well as “KUDs” for this content area, please click the link below. To view the “KUDs” by grade level, please visit the grade level “Curriculum Summaries” in the left-hand menu.
Mission
Students in the Winnetka Public Schools will build a long-lasting personal connection to music in order to actively explore, enjoy, and engage with music throughout their lives.
Key Beliefs
In alignment with the District 36 Portrait of a Graduate, the goal of the music program in the Winnetka Public Schools is that all students will develop the skills to:
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Be informed consumers of music (Global citizen, empathetic)
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Engage in the musical processes of reflection, revision, and performance (Resilient, collaborative, creative problem solver)
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Convey emotions, ideas, and meaning through music (Effective communicator)
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Develop an identity as a musician by discovering personal connections to music through creating, performing, and responding. (Lifelong learner)
Standards
Co-authors of this document used a blended approach to align curriculum to standards, choosing to use both the 2016 Illinois Arts Learning Standards and the 2014 National Core Arts Standards to inform and describe teaching and learning within District 36.
Meet the Teachers
Betsy Balkin- Skokie Music
Betsy began teaching music at Skokie in 2012 after receiving her Masters in Music Education from Northwestern University. Prior to that, Betsy attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music where she majored in both vocal performance and music education. After college, she ran a middle school and high school choral program in the Columbus, OH area for two years before moving to Illinois to be closer to family. While she started teaching with an emphasis on choral music, Betsy has loved exploring the world of general music here at Skokie. It has been such fun developing curriculum that has kids playing all sorts of instruments as well as engaging in the many non-performance aspects of being a musician. Betsy also directs the Skokie Chorus. Outside of school Betsy enjoys watching sports (Go Pack Go!), cooking, and spending time with her husband, two children, and puggle, Ralph.
Carly Bieda- Washburne Music
Carly Bieda serves as the new vocal music teacher at Washburne. A proud graduate of Elmhurst University, where she earned her degree in Music Education, Carly is currently advancing her expertise by pursuing a master's degree in Music Education at Western Illinois University. Carly is also an active member of ILMEA, the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. With a deep-rooted passion for music, Carly believes in creating a dynamic and engaging learning environment that empowers her students to express themselves through music. Her innovative teaching methods and commitment to excellence inspire a love for music that resonates well beyond the classroom. Carly teaches Beginning Piano, Beginning Guitar, Melody Makers, and Music Technology and Exploration. She is the choral director of the new and improved Washburne Chorus! Outside of school, Carly enjoys reading, exercise, and spending time with family and friends.
Yue Cai - Greeley and Hubbard Woods Elementary Strings
Yue has been teaching elementary strings in the Winnetka Public Schools since 2021.
Prior to joining District 36, Yue taught Chinese at Kede College of Capital Normal University, Beijing, China. She was a Music Teacher/Translator in 2014 at Shijiazhuang Foreign Language School, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China. Yue currently teaches Mandarin at Xilin NorthShore Chinese School. Yue has also worked at both New Trier High School and the New Trier Extension School teaching Mandarin. She also taught in District 205 in Elmhurst as a long-term Orchestra and string teacher substitute. Yue got her B.A. of Musicology in 2008 from the Music College of Hebei Normal University and an M.A. in Violin Performance from Music College of Southwest University in 2011. Yue is thrilled to be part of the D36 string program and has enjoyed working with her students to share her love of the violin! Outside of school, Yue enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Andrew Chester - Skokie and Washburne Band
Mr. Chester teaches 5th - 8th Grade Band and Jazz Band at The Skokie School and Carleton Washburne School. He joined the Winnetka Public Schools Music Department in 2019 after beginning his career in a long-term substitute role teaching 5th-8th Band and Orchestra in NSSD #112 and K-8th Music at CICS West Belden, a non-profit charter school located in Chicago’s Belmont Cragin neighborhood. While at CICS West Belden, he curated curriculum for and taught a technology-intensive K-4th Modern Music program, 5th-8th Band, and other middle school electives such as The History of Hip-Hop, Ukulele, and Improvisation Ensemble. Outside of school, Mr. Chester works as a clinician of Bands and keeps an active playing and private lesson studio on trombone, saxophone, and bass guitar. Mr. Chester attended Schaumburg High School in Schaumburg, IL and received his B.A. in Music Education from DePaul University in 2018. When he’s not teaching or playing music, Mr. Chester enjoys golfing, fishing, and spending time with his cats, Jerry and Tina. \
Carey Crows- General Music, Crow Island School
Carey began teaching general music and choir at Crow Island in 2023. Carey received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Miami, and her Masters in Music Education from Northwestern University. Prior to joining the Winnetka community, Carey taught music in Glenview, Downers Grove, and in several community music schools in Chicago. In addition to her studies in the US, Carey studied West African drumming, xylophone, and dance in Ghana, West Africa, and upon her return, has coordinated artist-in-residence programs in Downers Grove and Winnetka with the musicians from the Dagara Music Center in Ghana. Outside of school, Carey keeps her musicianship alive by performing professionally in choirs throughout Chicagoland, and is an active volunteer with organizations such as Musicians on Call and FORCE. In her spare time, she loves to cook, bake, travel, learn, and spend time with her family.
Brian Urquhart- Greeley
Stephen Vowles - Skokie and Washburne Band
Mr. Vowles teaches instrumental music at The Skokie School and The Carleton Washburne School, where we work together exploring musical instruments and learning how music works from the inside out. He joined Winnetka #36 in 1998. He lives with his wife Devon in Glencoe, where she appreciates that he practices his French Horn at school. His original hometown is Fairfax, Vermont. Before joining Winnetka, Mr. Vowles taught high school and middle school at Westtown School in Pennsylvania and rebuilt music programs in Thornton Fractional North High School, Lincoln Elementary School, and Burnham Elementary School in Calumet City, Illinois. Mr. Vowles studied at Oberlin Conservatory, Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance and Music Education (1989,1990); Northwestern University, Master of Music (1994) and Postgraduate Study (1999-2008); and Westchester University, Philosophy (1992).
Gary Wendt- Hubbard Woods School
In addition to teaching music, Gary is a Producer of WGST, the 4th-grade student-run television studio. Prior to that, he taught at Lyon Elementary School in Glenview as well as in Chicago and Wisconsin. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in music education, did graduate work at DePaul University of Chicago, and received a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from WGU. He is the Founder of The Innocent Wisdom Project, a research compilation of inquiry-based arts education projects. Gary has worked with the education programs of the Chicago Chamber Musicians, The Chicago Children’s Choir, and the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Gary has worked collaboratively for many years with the music education program at Northwestern University through guest lectures and presentations. He also works with student teachers and practicum students. When he is not at school, Gary is Director of Music and Organist at Glenview Community Church, directing the handbell choir, a woodwind quartet, and managing the Simple Gifts Concert Series.
Emily Zwijeck- Crow Island School Elementary Strings, Skokie and Washburne Orchestra
Ms. Zwijack teaches 2nd - 8th Grade Orchestra at Crow Island, Skokie School and Carleton Washburne School. She joined the Winnetka Public Schools Music Department in 2025 after receiving her B.A. in Music Education and Violin Performance. She has been teaching private music lessons and group classes for 7 years and is passionate about trauma-informed teaching strategies after conducting a 2023 music education research project. Aside from her world of music, Ms. Zwijack is also a figure skater and figure skating coach. She coaches students as young as two years old through adults, and from the beginner to the competitive level. She also currently maintains a private lesson studio and actively performs in gigs in the Chicagoland area. When she is not making music or skating, Ms. Zwijack enjoys podcasting, swimming, and working on her 2nd book.