This year, West Valley welcomes Laurel Kaschmitter, a new face in our music department. Mrs. Kashmitter brings energy, experience, and a deep love for the arts. In her first year, she’s already teaching five different courses with four choirs at West Valley High School: Chamber Choir, Treble Choir, Concert Choir, Jazz Choir, and a College-in-the-High-School course called History of Rock. 

Before joining West Valley, Kashmitter taught at Eisenhower High School. During that time, she  partnered with WVHS to help launch the Yakima Valley Music Educators Association Regional Honor Choir. This annual event brings together high school singers from across the Yakima Valley each spring.

Mrs. Kaschmitter’s path to choir started in an unexpected way. Beginning at Central Washington University as a theater major, she transferred to Yakima Valley College and joined Dr. Scott Peterson’s choir. Kashmitter reflects, “I realized my true passion was sharing music. I was inspired by Dr. Peterson’s artistry and ability to create ‘teaching moments’ seemingly out of thin air.” Growing up in a musical family also shaped her journey. Her father is a high school band director and her mother taught private lessons and served as a church musician.

Mrs. Kaschmitter is actually returning to West Valley as she completed her student-teaching with Megan Goranson, choir teacher for the West Valley Mid-Level Campus.  Mrs. Goranson said, “We had the good fortune to have Mrs. Kaschmitter in West Valley during the 2009-2010 school year and I am excited to have her return and get to work with our High School Choir kids.  I can’t wait to see where she takes our program!”

When asked what the most important part of her job is, Mrs. Kaschmitter shares a thoughtful answer…balance. “Teaching is a holistic art form,” she says. “You must have ALL the skills in some form or another to be effective, but each will take the forefront at different points during your career.”

The high school choir program has been busy this fall with performances, the annual Veterans Day Assembly and an adjudication in November. December will be busy with concerts as well.

Mrs. Kaschmitter encourages supporters to come out to an upcoming performance at the WVHS Auditorium:

• Choir Concert, Tuesday, December 9, 7 pm

• Jazz Night, Thursday, December 18, 7 pm

Looking ahead, Mrs. Kaschmitter is excited to create more opportunities for students. “West Valley has a strong culture of musical excellence,” she says. “I’m always on the lookout for performance opportunities and other arts-centered experiences for our students to take part in.”

When not teaching, you’ll find Kaschmitter enjoying music, traveling, and exploring nature with her two young children and her husband. Welcome to the “Ramily” Mrs. Kaschmitter!