Emily Thomas Waters

3205 Silina Drive • Virginia Beach, VA 23452 • 434.981.3465

emilythomaswaters@gmail.com • www.coxorchestra.com • www.violinbyemily.com
Education:
Charlottesville City Schools
Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
Bachelor of Music with a Concentration in Music Education/Instrumental
Graduated May 2015, with University Honors
GPA: 3.9

Professional Experience:

Orchestra Director, Virginia Beach City Public Schools August 2015 - Present
• Serves as Orchestra Director at Frank W. Cox High School, Shelton Park Elementary School, and Kempsville Meadows
Elementary School
• Provides instructional assistance to the Great Neck Middle School Orchestra program
• The Cox Orchestra program has grown from 60 members to more than 100 within two years
• Superior ratings earned at District Orchestra Assessment from all three Cox ensembles performing at grade I, IV, and VI,
with the grade VI Chamber Orchestra receiving straight A’s on stage
• Numerous awards earned at out-of-state music festivals and competitions, including the two Adjudicator Awards, the
Instrumental Sweepstakes, four Maestro Awards, and the Outstanding Orchestra Award at both the Boston 2017 and
Orlando 2018 Heritage Musical Competitions

Private String Instrument Instructor June 2005 - Present

• Teach weekly violin, viola and cello lessons using the Suzuki Method to over twenty total students ranging in age from
three to fifty

General Music Teacher, Academy of Academic Excellence February - June 2014

• Taught weekly general music lessons to one group of twenty-five students, ages four through six, and another group of
twenty-five students, ages six through ten
• Planned lessons which included singing, dancing, simple instrumental instruction, introduction to individual instruments
and instrument families, and exposure to classical music through active listening

Accolades and Achievements:

• Sponsors the Tri-M Music Honor Society at Cox High School 2016 - 2018
• Directs the Cox High School Falcon Stage Company Pit Orchestra 2018
• Created the first Beginning Orchestra Ensemble at Cox High School 2017
• Hosted the District II Orchestra Assessment 2017 - 2018
• Elected Southeastern Virginia Regional Representative for the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association Dec. 2017
• Presented “The First Year: A Guide to Survival” at the Virginia Music Educator’s Association State Conference Nov. 2017
• Co-chaired the Southeastern Senior Regional Orchestra Event 2016 - 2017
• Nominated for the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Outstanding Music Educator Award April 2016
• Created the Pep Strings Ensemble at Cox High School 2015
• Granted full scholarship to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Academy Week for Music Educators May 2015
• Awarded the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Music Student Research Grant Jan. 2015
• Appointed Concertmaster for the Virginia Commonwealth University Symphony Orchestra Aug. 2013 - Dec. 2014
• Founded and elected president of the American String Teachers Association VCU Collegiate Chapter Oct. 2014
• Performed in Professor Daniel Myssyk’s VMEA presentation entitled “Elements of Conducting” Nov. 2014
• Awarded the Jessica McCain Endowed Scholarship for promising students pursuing string music education Jan. 2014
• Elected Treasurer of the VCU Collegiate Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association Aug. 2014
• Assisted with Professor Susanna Klein’s American String Teachers Association National Conference presentation March 2013
• Appointed Principal 2nd Violin for the Virginia Commonwealth University Symphony Orchestra Aug. 2012 - May 2013
• Awarded the Academic Excellence Scholarship at Virginia Commonwealth University Aug. - May 2015

Professional Organizations:
• Registered Suzuki Violin Book 1 Teacher by the • Member of the National Association for Music Education
Suzuki Association of the Americas • Member of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors
• Member of the American String Teachers Associations Association