Experience

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  • Piano Teacher

    • May 1949 - Present

    I began piano lessons when I was six years old. I took piano from Mrs. McHose and Lucille Wilson. I performed in a three piano number, with two at a piano. Marvin Blickenstaff was at my side during the program at Nampa High School Auditorium.Lucille sent me students when I was fourteen as she felt I was ready. I taught both children and adults for 50 cents a lesson. Mrs. Wilson also sent her students to be judged yearly. We paid a fee and she hired the best pianist to travel from back East to Nampa, Idaho to judge us individually. I received fine ratings.When I attended USU in 1953 I began working with Professor Wasserman, whom I adored as a teacher. He agreed to send me any number of students I would like. We remained good friends.I was hired to play for the dance classes under Miss Fuller. We preformed at Old Main at the end of the term.I choose to take Organ Lessons from Professor Christiansen and practiced on the organ in the UB each morning at 6:00 a.m. The climb up the hill in the winter was challenging. Amid sliding and falls I survived. Once there it was toasty warm and the vacuums were running by those who were keeping the building presentable.After my marriage to LaMar Wright and our move to Blanding, I taught many lessons weekly and held many recitals. During the summers when LaMar returned to USU to complete his degrees, I taught piano in Smithfield and Brigham City with Salome Hansen to help purchase a piano from her, and help with our finances. LaMar watched Monty, our first-born, each Saturday while I left for Brigham City.I have held many positions in the LDS Church as organist and chorister over the years. I have been eternally grateful for the sacrifice my parents made to develop the God-given talents I received at His Hands.

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  San Juan High School

  • Blanding, Utah

  • Home Economics (8,9,10,11&12) and Boy's 7th-8th Grade Arts & Crafts

    • Jan 1957 - Jun 1958
    • Blanding, Utah

    In the Fall of 1956, Superintendent Black came to USU to interview for positions in San Juan County. Immediately following my interview I was hired to teach Home Economics at San Juan High School in Blanding, Utah. I began teaching at the end of Fall Semester, after Christmas.Superintendent Black promised me a week off in February for my marriage to James LaMar Wright. I was hired mid-school year to replace the teacher who was expecting. The students had experienced the replacement of three teachers that same year. I had just graduated from Utah State University in the field of Home and Family Living with a composite major of Foods & Clothing and Child Development. I spent four hours daily with the girls in Home Economics and one hour daily with the boy's Arts and Crafts. The principal of San Juan High was a dear man by the name of LaRay Alexander.I taught piano lessons each evening and on Saturdays. Two of my students traveled to Salt Lake to compete and received top ratings.I taught school until the birth of our first child, James LaMont Wright. I was offered an increase in salary to return but desired to be a full time Mother.I continued teaching piano lessons. A profession I still enjoy.