For the videos in the script, refer to the video of the slidedeck embedded presentation above or use the hyperlinks.

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Title

• I interviewed Mr. Dan Horner, my HS music teacher

 

About Dan Horner

•  …is a longtime music educator

  • Conductor of Toronto Youth Symphonic Winds

  • Head of Music at St. Andrew’s College, Aurora

  • Former Head of Music at Bayview Secondary School

  • Assistant Director of SHAD Carleton for over a decade

 

Music in His Everyday Life

• Obviously, he teaches music everyday (class, rehearsal)

  • As Head, bit of an arts administrator role

• Conducts the Toronto Youth Symphonic Winds

• Still a trumpeter (musical, church, wedding)

• Also listens to music a lot - new piece every week

 

So continues to be very much involved with music as part of his everyday life and he’s in the middle of a very successful career. But let's look at how he got to where he is today.

 

Purpose & Drive

• Grew up in Scarborough (that's where he went to high school)

• He took a gap year before going to Queen's because he wanted an extra year of maturity but also to practice more on trumpet and piano proficiency

  • But I think what is most interesting is what he got up to during the gap year and during university

  • Interview PPTX Clip 1

• I think this sets him apart from many people

  • He's finding opportunities for himself to get better, and I think this comes from living with a purpose and drive

  • This is his comment on how music advocacy connects to driving himself

    • Interview PPTX Clip 2

• And I think this mindset spills into his teaching philosophy. From my experiences with him, he's all about doing the things that others won't do even if you don't get credit for it, because that's a mark of respect for yourself, the environment you're in, and the people around you.

• It’s ok to be lost sometimes, but apathy is not good. I think Mr. Horner cares that his students dedicate themselves to a greater purpose and hold themselves accountable to that by continuing to want to better themselves.

• See what he says about dedication and how he develops leadership amongst students.

  • Interview PPTX Clip 3

 

Leadership

• It is not just about the title you put on a résumé. It is also about recognizing an opportunity for something to be better, and then taking the action to make it better for everyone.

• I see that ________ could be better (or more successful). Ok, I’ll go make that better, or maybe I’ll delegate someone to make that better, or maybe I’ll build a team to make this better.”

• But I’m taking action

 

Burnout

• Mr. Horner is one of the most driven people that I know. But it doesn’t mean he doesn’t struggle with burnout

  • Interview PPTX Clip 4

• So Mr. Horner has a system that works for him to achieve this mental health balance - acknowledgement of his thoughts and emotions

 

Takeaways

• Part of this assignment is aligning the interview to my world and my aspirations. I would love to be able to do what Mr. Horner does someday as a music teacher and conductor but I think the real takeaway from this interview is his mindset.

  • Live with a purpose and a drive.

  • Do not be afraid to practice leadership.

  • But do this within a system that works for you to be able to take those mental breaks when you need it.