Let’s give a standing ovation to our wonderful orchestra director, Mrs. Kristina Graham, who is leaving Beaver Area School District after 16 great years.

Mrs. Graham is leaving Beaver Area so that her husband can pursue a career opportunity in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Mrs. Graham grew up in Detroit and spent three years at Northwestern University studying Violin Performance before transferring to Wayne State University to earn her degree in Music Education. She earned her masters degree in Leadership at Geneva College.

Mrs. Graham says that her passion for music stems from Interlochen Arts Camp summer camp program in northwest Michigan, and that it has been an honor to instill that same joy in so many students.

“I discovered a picture last night, when I was going through a box, and it was a picture of me with my cabin mates at Interlochen, it was eight weeks of orchestra, and at the end of that summer, I didn’t get tired of it.”

Mrs. Graham began teaching at Beaver Area High School in 2006 after working for Geneva College in the Adult Degree Completion Department.

In her Beaver Area career she has sponsored several clubs and activities including Beaver Forte, National Honors Society, Altered Strings, Tri-M, and PMEA.

“I’ve done a lot of work with PMEA, hosted several festivals and that sort of thing,” she added.

Mrs. Graham hopes to continue teaching when she leaves Beaver, stating, “I’m not sure what capacity I’ll be teaching at, whether it be a private studio or a school program, but I’d love to continue teaching.”

Mrs. Graham enjoys teaching, and stated that her favorite part of teaching is the students.

“I love seeing my students succeed, fall in love with music and their instruments, and have fun with each other. The students are why I’m here.”

Best of luck in Louisiana—we’ll miss you!