In Harmony at NGFS: Where Every Voice Matters

“The school’s emphasis on community and individual growth makes it easy to experiment with innovative approaches while still giving every child the chance to shine.” – Jeannie Sykes

By: Olivia Elliott

At NGFS, music isn’t about perfection or precision; it’s about growth, connection, expression, and most of all, presence. Every note holds a space for listening, learning, and belonging. Every melody tells a story. It’s here that students learn that harmony doesn’t exist in isolation; it’s something you create together. 

Jeannie Sykes, the preschool through sixth grade music teacher at New Garden Friends School, is a lifelong violinist and former Suzuki student. She also performs professionally with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, bringing years of experience and a deep passion and understanding of music to her classroom.

For Sykes, music goes beyond technique; it’s at the heart of community. In her classes, students connect, collaborate, and build trust, all while finding joy in making music together.

Her lessons also open a window to the wider world. Students learn songs in different languages, explore new musical styles, and discover cultures from around the globe. Many come from diverse backgrounds, and some feel a special connection to certain pieces. In class, they celebrate differences while also discovering how much they have in common.

“I want them to appreciate and respect the diversity of voices and stories behind the music,” Sykes said. “It helps them see that their own voice is part of a much bigger global community.”

Sykes sees every aspect of NGFS’s music program as an opportunity for students to grow, both individually and together. Whether exploring songs from around the world or playing side by side with classmates, students learn to listen, support one another, and find confidence in their own voices.

“Performances are such a great learning opportunity,” Sykes said. “Kids get to polish a piece, really work together as a group, and feed off each other’s energy—kind of like being on a sports team.”

These experiences also help students grow personally. “A lot of students will say, ‘I get nervous in front of people,’ and that’s normal,” Sykes said. “But my hope is that with enough preparation and the joy of making music together, these nerves fade and they just get lost in the experience.”

One example of that pride and growth came during GrandFriends Day, a long-standing NGFS tradition. Last year, students from pre-K through sixth grade performed for visiting GrandFriends. 

“You could see the excitement, the focus, and awareness of one another as they played their instruments or sang together,” Sykes said. The sense of teamwork and joy in sharing music was evident, leaving both students and GrandFriends with a memory they would carry with them, long after the final note.

At NGFS, music nurtures both community and personal growth. Beginning in third grade, the Suzuki violin program allows students to build on these skills in a structured, step-by-step way within a supportive environment.

When asked why she chose to offer the option of Suzuki violin classes, Sykes explained, “I grew up as a Suzuki student and have been teaching it all my life. I also play professionally with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra, so it just seemed like the perfect fit to offer here.”

Introducing students to the violin at a young age helps lay a strong foundation for musical development. The Suzuki method allows children to progress incrementally, experiencing early success while building essential skills such as listening, coordination, and teamwork. 

“A violin is very adaptable; it comes in small sizes and grows with the student,” Sykes said. “It’s one of the most complex instruments to learn because your left hand is doing something different than your right. It’s challenging, but when they master a piece, they feel a real sense of accomplishment.”

As students advance through the program, their growth is clear. In the beginning class, they focus on basics: holding the instrument, coordinating hands, and producing a beautiful sound…  which can take patience and support from parents. 
“I encourage the parents to be supportive of the squeaks and squeals they hear at the beginning,” Jeannie said, grinning. 

Soon, they learn songs by ear, begin reading music, fine-tune their pitch, and explore different keys and finger patterns. By fifth and sixth grade, students can perform complex pieces confidently, play collaboratively, and take pride in the skills they’ve built step by step; not just as musicians, but as individuals.

What excites Sykes most about her work is the students themselves. “Every student excites me, and what really excites me is when you see the lightbulb moments – when a student finally gets it,” she beamed. 

“Whether it’s mastering a new concept, learning a song, or reading a rhythm correctly, seeing the excitement on their faces is amazing,” she added. Sykes is always looking for ways to help students connect with one another in meaningful ways, and “every small breakthrough feels like a celebration in the classroom,” she said. 

Looking ahead, Sykes sees NGFS continuing to nurture student musicians by keeping the focus on creativity, curiosity, and hands-on learning. Students will have opportunities to explore new instruments, styles, and collaborative projects, pushing their skills while feeling supported. 

Experimenting with technology offers students new ways to grow. Each year, Sykes leads a unit in GarageBand, a digital music tool that lets students compose, record, and mix their own songs using virtual instruments and loops. This year, students will have the option to use GarageBand to create music that complements poems written in their classrooms, highlighting the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of music.

“The school’s emphasis on community and individual growth makes it easy to experiment with innovative approaches while still giving every child the chance to shine,” Sykes said. By blending character-building music instruction, such as the Suzuki violin program, with creative exploration and technology, NGFS provides students with a musical education that is both structured and expansive; one that nurtures confidence, celebrates individual voices, strengthens connections, and inspires joy in every note.

From the classroom to performances and collaborative projects, the program reflects NGFS’s commitment to helping each student grow. Students develop not only as musicians, but also as valued members of a vibrant, supportive community. In every note played, every song shared, and every breakthrough achieved, their love of music – and of learning together – shines through.