Teachers:
Linzie Mullins
Linzie Mullins is an Orff Music Specialist at Snowden School, where she also ​currently serves as a District Mentor Teacher with Memphis-Shelby County ​Schools, and an AOSA Orff Movement Teacher Educator. Mullins is a recent ​recipient of the CMA Teacher of Excellence Award (2019, 2021, & 2024) and the ​TnMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year (2019). She currently ​serves as the General Music State Chair for TnMEA and the Memphis Chapter of ​the American Orff Schulwerk Association (MCAOSA) president. In the past, she ​has served as the president of WTGMEA. She has presented several workshops ​including the First Timers Workshop at the AOSA Conference in Denver Colorado, ​TN Music Educators Association, and District Learning Days for Shelby County ​Schools. Linzie earned her undergraduate degree in K-12 Music Education from ​the University of Tennessee at Martin, a master's degree in Instruction and ​Curriculum Leadership as well as her English as a Foreign Language Certificate ​from The University of Memphis, and her Administrator's Certification from ​Christian Brothers University. She also attained Orff Levels I, II, III, and ​Masterclass through the University of Memphis. She is a mom of two sons, Jesse ​and Bentley, and the wife of Ray Mullins, who is also an Orff music specialist.
Betsy Carter
Betsy Carter is an Orff Music specialist at Snowden School in Memphis, TN, where she teaches grades K-5. She is a 2023 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence. Betsy is also an AOSA Orff Pedagogy Teacher Educator and has taught Orff Level I and II Basic Pedagogy at Lee University, and Level I at Anderson University and The University of Memphis. Betsy has presented workshops at the AOSA National Conference, Tennessee MEA Conference, Mississippi MEA Conference, and for Orff Chapters in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Georgia. She has served as an Orff Mentor teacher and curriculum writer for Memphis Shelby County Schools for 10 years and currently serves as the Memphis Chapter AOSA President. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Betsy completed her Orff Levels at the University of Memphis, masterclasses at Trinity University and Anderson University, and her apprenticeship at Anderson University. Betsy is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Music and has written several articles for the Orff Echo. Her specialties are curriculum development, grant writing, and community partnerships. She is a co-creator of the Side by Side Orff Orchestra partnership with the Memphis Symphony and led the project's first performance in 2015. When not teaching Orff, Betsy also performs in the trumpet section of the Memphis Symphony. She is married to MSO violinist Erin Kaste and they have two young adult children. Together, they have road tripped 41 states!
Upcoming Events:
School Programs (click the event for more info):
Thursday, October 3 at 8:45am - Dance Ensemble and Music Club perform Multicultural Program in ​the auditorium
Thursday, December 5 at 8:45am & 6pm - Winter Program, Grades 2-3 in the auditorium
Thursday, February 6 at 8:45am - Black History Program, Grades 4-5 in the auditorium
Thursday, March 6 at 1:30pm - Side by Side, All Elementary Students Perform in the gym
Thursday, May 1 - Kindergarten and First Grade Program 1:30pm in Auditorium
Upcoming Events:
TnMEA
Treble Honor Choir
F Major Mrs. Mullins Singing
My country, ’tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From ev’ry mountainside
Let freedom ring!
Volunteer sign ups:
Coming soon!
Supplies Always Needed and Appreciated:
Kleenex
Paper Towels
Sanitizing Wipes
SEPTEMBER
2024
SUNDAY
01
08
15
22
29
MONDAY
02
No ​School
09
16
23
Snow Choir ​3-3:30
30
Snow Choir ​3-3:30
TUESDAY
03
Intern Lunch
Dance Ensemble ​3-3:45
10
Dance Ensemble ​3-3:45
17
Mrs. Mullins CMA ​Banquet in Nashville!
Dance Ensemble ​3-3:45
24
Dance Ensemble ​3-3:45
WEDNESDAY
04
SJI 3:00-4:00
11
SJI 3:00-4:00
18
SJI 3:00-4:00
25
SJI 3:00-4:00
THURSDAY
05
Parent-Teacher ​Conferences
2/3 ​Music Club ​3-3:45
12
4/5 ​Music Club ​3-3:45
19
2/3 ​Music Club ​3-3:45
26
4/5 ​Music Club ​3-3:45
FRIDAY
06
13
Mrs. Mullins on WREG ​Live at 9!
20
27
SATURDAY
07
14
21
28
Side by Side Orchestra ​Run Through 12pm
Recorder is your student's first woodwind instrument! In order to maximize their success, it is important that they play a quality instrument. YOUR CHILD'S IN-SCHOOL RECORDER WILL BE PROVIDED! However, if you wish to purchase an instrument for them to practice on at home, we recommend the Yamaha YRS 24B recorder. This is a Baroque Fingered Soprano recorder.
Several sources to find these online and in town are:
Music and Arts (online)
West Music (online)
Amro Music 2918 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Want something a little fancier?
Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Mullins use this recorder.
Alto recorders are larger and play lower. Again, we provide these in class, but you can find one here.
Back to Resources
Ukulele is is an excellent introduction to string instruments, or an extension if your child is involved in String Orchestra or private lessons! YOUR CHILD'S IN-SCHOOL UKULELE WILL BE PROVIDED! However, if you wish to purchase an instrument for them to practice on at home, we recommend the Kala, Makala, Kohala, Mitchell, and Luna brands of Soprano Ukulele.
Sources:
Amro Music 2918 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38111
Back to Resources
Amro Music Find a Piano Teacher
- Online database and teacher matching service
- Choral opportunities for children third grade and older
- Choral opportunities for children, youth, and adults
Memphis Youth Symphony Program (MYSP)
- Strings, winds, and percussion at all levels
- Private instruction in Violin and Cello
- Orff Camp (elementary), band, choir, and popular music camps (middle/HS)
- Online instruction in any instrument
Back to Resources
About Us
The Snowden Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Orff Music Specialists Linzie Mullins and Betsy Carter, consists of 3rd-5th graders from Snowden School in Memphis, TN. These students audition and are hand selected for this performing group. The dancers meet once weekly and have been featured at many prestigious events/venues, such as the ABC24 News Holiday Program, the WKNO Radio Station, and the Memphis Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library.
Our Mission:
To promote positive community and collaboration with those in our ensemble and in our communities through different types of dance.
Video Samples
Featured Dances
Community Dances
Interested in learning more or inviting our group to dance at your upcoming event? Please contact the directors at:
Interested in our amazing school?
Visit our website for more information!
