Rescue the Teacher, Save the Child!

Book excerpt: Over the past four decades, Paula Baack coached children through adult singers in addition to directing youth, collegiate and adult choral ensembles. Her work with solo singers and choirs received state, national and international recognition. Ms. Baack was invited to present her paper "Assessing the Singer, Making the Choir Accountable" to the Third International Symposium on Assessment in Music Education held in Bremen, Germany. Ms. Baack received the Colorado Springs Chorale Society 2017 Award for Excellence in Choral Education. In 2014 she was acknowledged as a Boettcher Outstanding Colorado Teacher. She was awarded Who's Who in Education (2007), Who's Who of American Teachers (2000 and 2004). Ms. Baack is known also for her work with Down Syndrome and special needs children. She received teaching accolades in Arizona and her home state of Nebraska. Continuing to present at state and national clinics fulfills her passion and dedication to teaching.Ms. Baack performed leading/supporting operatic and musical theatre roles in over 30 productions. She served as a Master Teacher with Sedona Jazz on the Rocks (Sedona, Arizona), where she also was a featured artist with her vocal jazz group. Talented former students include James Valentine, a guitarist and singer for Maroon 5, Nate Zuercher, banjo and singer for Judah & the Lion, Scottie Johnson, guitarist and singer for the Gin Blossoms and Scott Maclntyre, a Top 10 finalist in Season 8 of American Idol.