Title: Strings Teacher and Orchestra Director
Company: Sharon Public Schools
Location: Chepachet, Rhode Island, United States
Linda E. Mayer Ethier, Strings Teacher and Orchestra Director at Sharon Public Schools, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Music Education.
Ms. Ethier is recognized for her talents as a strings teacher and orchestra director, most notably with Sharon Public Schools since 2012. Over the course of more than a decade in her profession and over 30 years in her current position, she has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to music education, teaching students in grades six through 12. Ms. Ethier’s responsibilities include preparing and delivering lessons aligned with national and state music standards, creating student resources, assessing progress, providing feedback to students and families, and collaborating with colleagues while fostering musical independence among her students. Additionally, she is tasked with leading rehearsals, preparing students for concert performances and auditions, and attending music festivals.
When Ms. Ethier first joined the Sharon Public Schools, the high school orchestra program was relatively small, comprising approximately 28 to 30 students. Through her leadership and commitment, she expanded the program significantly. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, she had grown the high school orchestra to over 80 students and developed it into a full-time role. Ms. Ethier is particularly proud of establishing two orchestras at the high school: an honors orchestra and a repertory orchestra. Projections for the next school year indicate a record-breaking enrollment of over 85 students.
In addition to her work at Sharon Public Schools, Ms. Ethier has maintained an active career as a freelance violinist since 1987. Her performance experience spans orchestral engagements and community theater productions, reflecting her expertise in violin performance and teaching.
From 2011 to 2014, Ms. Ethier served as a private instructor with Norwood Public Schools, where she provided individualized instruction that contributed to student growth in string performance. Between 2006 and 2011, she held the position of music teacher and orchestra director with Warwick Public Schools, honing her skills in curriculum development and ensemble leadership.
Ms. Ethier also contributed as an enrichment instructor for the Lincoln School Department from 2001 to 2009, where she designed programs that enriched students’ musical experiences beyond standard classroom instruction. She was a music instructor for the All-City Orchestra within the Woonsocket Education Department from 2004 to 2006. Ms. Ethier’s early teaching experience included serving as a private music teacher at Scituate High School between 1995 and 2006. Across all these roles, Ms. Ethier has demonstrated expertise in high school orchestra direction, middle school strings instruction and violin pedagogy.
Ms. Ethier’s academic background has been instrumental in shaping her career achievements. She earned a Bachelor of Science in music education, cum laude, at Rhode Island College in 1990 and a Master of Music in Music Education, summa cum laude, from Kent State University in 2016. She holds K-12 teaching certification in music from Rhode Island and Massachusetts, which has enabled her to teach across multiple grade levels and adapt to diverse educational environments.
An active member of several professional organizations, including the American String Teachers Association and the National Association for Music Education, Ms. Ethier is also dedicated to civic engagement with organizations such as the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, where she serves as a volunteer, fundraiser and torch bearer.
Ms. Ethier’s creative projects include performances with the Rhode Island College Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Barrington at St. John’s, and several community theaters, demonstrating both artistic versatility and commitment to collaborative performance. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous awards, including being named one of 50 Teachers Who Make a Difference. Ms. Ethier’s greatest professional satisfaction, however, comes from former students who return or reach out to share how her teaching has impacted their lives.
Looking ahead, Ms. Ethier plans to continue teaching while seeking opportunities for growth within her current role. She aims to take on greater leadership responsibilities by joining the executive board of SEMSBA and conducting a SEMSBA orchestra. These endeavors reflect both Ms. Ethier’s passion for performing and commitment to advancing music education for future generations.
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