Pamela Tellejohn Hayes

Pamela Tellejohn Hayes

Adjunct Professor
Columbia College & Univeristy of South Carolina

  Biography

Pamela Tellejohn Hayes is nationally recognized for her work in the field of music education. She is a co-author of the comprehensive method book series Essential Elements for Strings published by the Hal Leonard Corporation. Mrs. Hayes has appeared as a clinician and conductor at numerous state, regional, and national conferences of MENC, ASTA, and NSOA, as well as the Midwest Clinic. In three separate school districts in South Carolina, she led the establishment of new string programs that grew exponentially and are thriving today. As a public school coordinator and teacher for 31 years, her award-winning orchestras performed concerts on three separate occasions in Carnegie Hall. Mrs. Hayes is the recipient of the Merle J. Isaac Lifetime Achievement Award from NSOA, the Elizabeth A.H. Green School Educator Award from ASTA, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the SC chapter of ASTA. In 1999 SC Governor Jim Hodges awarded her the Order of the Silver Crescent for exemplary performance, contribution, and achievement within the community. It is the state’s highest award for volunteer and community service. In addition, she has been inducted into the SCMEA Hall of Fame, received the Citation for Leadership and Merit from ASTA with NSOA, the Benjamin Woodruff, Jr. Musician’s Award from the SC Philharmonic, and the Outstanding Service Award from Spartanburg (SC) School District Six. She has served as president of NSOA, SCMEA, the Orchestra Division of SCMEA, and the SC chapter of ASTA.

Mrs. Hayes has served as a member of the Editorial Board for the Music Educators Journal. Her articles have been published in the American String Teacher, The InstrumentalistOrchestra NewsThe World of Glaesel Strings and the Music Educators Journal. Mrs. Hayes earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wichita State University, a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration and an Education Specialist Certificate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Carolina. She currently is a violinist with the SC Philharmonic and the Aiken Symphony Orchestra. As an adjunct instructor, she teaches violin and string methods at Columbia College and supervises student teachers for the University of South Carolina.

  Session Titles

Communications for Orchestra Teachers

Teacher

We all communicate in many ways every day. This session presents a full spectrum of ideas on how to work with the various people that affect the success of an orchestra program, including students, parents, colleagues, and administrators.


Strategies for Developing Proper Playing Position

Teacher

This session focuses on techniques used for the development and remediation of common playing position problems in the orchestra classroom. Practical suggestions will be given for preventing tension for both the left and right hands.


Sustaining Our Emotional Health

Teacher

Today’s educational climate is filled with anxiety that reaches far beyond the basic pedagogy of teaching a stringed instrument or conducting an orchestra. Parents are more demanding, students are less respectful, the legal system rules our decisions, and social media is rampant. This session will address some practical ideas on how to sustain our emotional health amidst the challenging stress that continues to grow in our profession.


Technique Times Four

Teacher

Teaching advanced techniques to a class with all four instruments simultaneously is a difficult challenge for the string teacher. This session will present the basic concepts needed to teach skills such as advanced positions, shifting, rhythms and vibrato in a heterogeneous class environment. Emphasis will be given to strategies that can be used for an orchestra class in which many students do not study privately.