This is the Wired Educator podcast Episode 239, my interview with Donnie, Sorah titled “Publishing Students Through Creative Collaborations."
Donnie is a musician, educator, composer, and an associate professor of music at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. He’s amazing and he’s going to share his story as well as inspire us all to publish students’ work in powerful and unique ways to enhance their voice, build connection and provide the best learning experience possible. This episode is perfect for teachers in any content are, teaching any age, educational leaders and YOU!
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Dr. Donald Sorah, Associate Professor of Music at The University of Virginia's College at Wise, boasts a diverse teaching portfolio encompassing applied high brass, conducting, music technology, composition, orchestration, and various other courses. As an Apple Distinguished Educator and recipient of the Outstanding Use of Technology in the Classroom Award (May 2022), Dr. Sorah actively supports students and colleagues as an Apple Learning Coach at UVA Wise, an Apple Distinguished School.
Under his guidance, the college achieved initial accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Music in 2019. Beyond UVA Wise, Dr. Sorah has served as Associate Adjunct Instructor at Mountain Empire Community College since 1999 and previously taught at J.J. Kelly High School and L.F. Addington Middle School in Wise, Virginia.
As the Associate Director of the Spirit of America National Honor Band, he conducted and performed as a trumpet soloist across Europe. He co-founded the Guayaquil Summer Music Academy in Ecuador, where he engaged in performances, lectures, and trumpet instruction. Recent teaching and research ventures have taken him to Chile and Spain.
Sorah is a member of the Symphony of the Mountains and the Johnson City Symphony. In 2006, he founded the Winds of the Mountain Empire, a regional wind ensemble comprised mainly of music educators and is a champion for new works, presenting numerous premieres and commissions.
As a prolific composer, Dr. Sorah has crafted works for various ensembles, including piano, organ, chamber groups, wind ensemble, and orchestra. His compositions have been performed by The University of Louisville Symphonic Band, University of Florida Symphonic Band, Nicholls State University Symphonic Band, and Madison Concert Band. Most recently, his orchestral work Rhapsody on In the Bleak Midwinter was featured at the 2023 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.
As an advocate for proving free high-quality educational resources for his students he has published four books on Apple Books including Composing with Found Sounds in GarageBand, Everyone Can Create Music With iPad Curriculum Guide, Book of Rhythms and Melodies Vol. 1, and Book of Rhythms and Melodies Vol. 2. Under his leadership, students in his music appreciation course published five introductory books covering eras of classical music.
Dr. Sorah earned his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Music Education from The Florida State University and holds master's and bachelor's degrees from Morehead State University (KY). He resides in Wise, Virginia, with his wife Kelly, son Brennan, and dog Roamer.
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Mentioned in this Episode:
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Order Kelly’s books, Along Came a Leader and Unthink Before Bed: A Children’s Book on Mindfulness for your personal library.
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WEP 242: Teaching and Learning with the Magic of Artificial Intelligence An Interview with Jeni Long
WEP 241: Inspiring Students to Have Fun, Read and Become Financially Literate an Interview with Ty Allan Jackson
WEP: 240: Building a Community for Educational Technology Integration, an Interview with Chris Nesi
WEP 238: Storytelling with Purpose an Interview with Michael Hernandez
WEP 237: Teach Like a Pirate, Again! My interview with Dave Burgess
WEP 236: Legacy of Learning, an Interview with Meghan Lawson
WEP 235: My Reflection and Review of My Personal and Personal Goals for 2023
WEP 234: Teaching Love, Respect & Preservation of Students' Culture Using Technology, an Interview with Brian Casto
WEP 233: Rocking an iPad in Any Classroom an Interview with Kristen Brooks
WEP 232: Recalibrate Your Culture, An Interview with Jimmy Casas
WEP 231: Seven Mindshifts for School Leaders
WEP 230: You Are Poetry an Interview with Mike Johnston
WEP 229: SEEing to Lead, an Interview with Chris Jones
WEP 228: Leading with a Humble Heart, an interview with Zac Bauermaster
WEP 227: Make Your Class Relevant and Engaging an Interview with Dominic Helmstetter
WEP 226: Curriculum is a Bridge, an Interview with Karen Robey
WEP 225: What is SEL and Trauma Informed Education, an Interview with Jillian McFarlan
WEP 224 Ruthless Equity an Interview with Ken Williams
WEP 223: Plan Like a Pirate an Interview with Dawn Harris
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