About Anya (Anna) Gavin
Anya is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degrees in Performance, Music Education, and Finance at Northern Illinois University. She studies trumpet with Dr. Mark Ponzo and supplements her academic work with conducting lessons from Deb Shofner, former ILMEA State President. In addition to teaching brass, she also teaches strings and general music as part of the Fox Valley El Sistema program. Her past teaching experience includes clinical teaching at multiple elementary schools; volunteering at Huntley Middle School in DeKalb, and interning at The People’s Music School in Chicago. Anya also regularly plays recitals and actively performs in local groups, including the Fox Valley Orchestra, Wheaton Municipal Band, DuPage Symphony, and Fox Valley Brass Band. Her dream is to attend the Eastman School of Music, pursuing research connecting music education to the acquisition of fundamental life skills and tools of happiness.
