Directory

Dr. Heidi Welch is the Director of Music Education and serves as the advisor to the NAfME Collegiate chapter at Castleton University. In addition to her work at the University, Dr. Welch currently serves as Immediate Past-President of NHMEA; NAfME Collegiate Coordinator for VMEA; and is a member of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY). She also served as recording secretary for NHBDA for many years. She is the 2013 NH Teacher of the Year and a 2013 finalist for National Teacher of the Year and is active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout NH. She is also the long-time musical director for the Hillcat Summer Theater program in Hillsboro, NH.

Prior to joining the Castleton Family in 2019, Dr. Welch was the sole Music Director at Hillsboro-Deering High School in Hillsboro, NH for 20 years teaching band, chorus, guitar, music theory, and other elective courses in music. Prior to that, she taught K-5 general music, beginner band, and elementary chorus in Claremont, NH. She has also taught as an adjunct at Keene State College teaching Intro to Music Education courses, and facilitated music student teachers placements for Ithaca College.

Education

Ph.D. in Education, Walden University
M.A. Ed. (Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment),New England College
B.M. (Music Education), Keene State College

Accomplishments

2013 New Hampshire Teacher of the Year
2013 Top Four Finalist for National Teacher of the Year
2015 Milken Education Unsung Hero Teacher Fellow
2014 Chasing Rainbows Educator Award from the Dolly Parton Foundation
2018 Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow
2012 NAfME Contributions to Music Education Award