• Name: Rebecca Grace
    Subjects / Classes Taught: C/M Band 1-8, Beginning Band 1-2, Jazz Band 1-8, Guitar 1-2
    Degree(s): Bachelor of Music Education - University of Colorado, Boulder.
                   Masters of Music Education and Conduction from the American Band College through Southern Oregon University 
    Email: grace@phoenixunion.org
    This is Becky Grace's 10th year teaching, and her 5th as the Director of Bands at Carl Hayden High School.  Prior to Carl Hayden she spent 5 years teaching at Pueblo Del Sol Middle School in the Isaac Elementary District.  Born outside of Philadephia, Pennsylvania, she moved a lot as a child, living in Cave Creek, Hong Kong, Houston, and then back to Phoenix.  She started her musical journey in Texas, choosing her main instrument of Oboe in 6th grade at First Colony Middle School in Sugarland, Texas.  She spent her freshman year of high school at Clements High School, which that year was selected as the Texas 5A Honor Band.  She moved to Phoenix before her sophomore year and was in the North Canyon High School Stars of the North Marching Band.  She was also in the International Baccalaureate program, a member of the March of Dimes Youth Leadership Council (organizing North Canyon's WalkAmerica team, and helping them become the #1 fundraising high school in America in 1997 and 1998), Vice President of the French Club, a member of NHS, and oboist in the Phoenix Youth Symphony.  After attending the University of Colorado, Boulder on a full ride oboe scholarship, she moved to New York City for a year just for fun before returning to Phoenix to begin her teaching career.  
     
    She has been selected by her colleagues as Certified Employee of the month three times in her five years at Hayden, and in 2011 was selected as the Carl Hayden High School Employee of the Year.  Under her direction the band has received ratings of Excellent, Superior, and Superior with Distinction at both Marching and Concert band festivals, as well as receiving numerous caption awards at marching festivals.  In 2012 the band came in 8th place in the Division III State Marching Championships out of 63 bands.  For the first time ever, Carl Hayden students participated in the 2013 All-State music festival - 3 students were accepted into the ensemble after a very rigorous and competitive audition process.  She absolutely loves the students and the community at Carl Hayden!