Gabe Romero
Gabe Romero is a senior music education major at Temple University. Born and raised on Long Island, music has been his #1 passion since taking up the piano and the cello as a child. He decided to make that passion his career after his positive musical experiences in high school, which included performing as a soloist with his school orchestra at Carnegie Hall and participating in multiple choirs, jazz bands and church music groups. While studying at Temple, he has gotten many opportunities to hone his teaching skills, serving as an intern with Philadelphia String Project and Philly POPS, as well as teaching cello privately and working as a 1:1 aide for students with special needs during the summers.
Gabe is excited to be working with Fflat Books this semester via Music Service Learning, an internship allowing college students to explore music education experiences beyond their coursework and help schools and organizations in need. In particular, Gabe has used the internship as an opportunity to explore the incorporation of popular music and student-centered creativity into all levels of music education. During his time with MSL, he has helped design integrated-arts curricula for Columbia Public Schools and a virtual songwriting/production unit for Interboro High School’s choirs. In addition to his blogs, he is also helping to create educational supplements to the fantastic Switched on Pop podcast!
When not working, you might find Gabe hiking his favorite park trails, searching for more vinyls to add to his collection, or cooking anything involving pasta!
eBooks by Gabe Romero
Posts by Gabe Romero
Music By the People, For the People of Palestine
Established in 1993, the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music is Palestine’s first music conservatory. Since then, it has sought to spread a lively and creative musical culture in every Palestinian home by teaching, producing [...]
Research to Practice: Standards-Based Instruction
Consider what we are intentionally or unintentionally saying we value based on what we cover with our students throughout their time in our classrooms. And, just like that, a conversation about standards-based instruction has entered the chat.
Affirmation and Celebration: the F-flat Grammy Nominees
The Grammys have long been associated with all the glitz and glamour that comes with the music industry. But, a few years ago, it became more than that as the Grammy Foundation started including music [...]
Research to Practice: Self-Care is More Than Finding Your “Why”
I was speaking with a student teacher about experiencing burnout symptoms and why finding their preferred self-care practices is important. In our discussion, I had mentioned that the most commonly stated piece of advice (whether given as real advice or delivered with an eye roll) is to remember your “why.” Our discussion was helpful, but I realized that the field of teaching can be just as rewarding as it is prickly.
Let’s Play! Supporting the Creative Process in Music Class
Change and Growth I'm back. It has been a while. Last year, I switched schools after teaching at Westwood Primary for ten years. Change is necessary for growth, but it was not an easy year. Less [...]
Three Ways to Build Connection with Students During the First Month of School
What do you do during the first month of school to build connection with your music students? I remember starting as a teacher and feeling like rules were first, and relationship was second. I was [...]