Position: Adjunct Associate Professor, Musicianship
Pronouns: She / Her / Hers
Location: Ruebush Hall, Room 129–A
Email: cromano@su.edu
Employed Since: 2003
Conservatory Professional Highlights:
Charlene Romano has taught musicianship, written theory, ear training and 20th century listening, and applied flute. She has also coached small ensembles and directed the flute choir. Recently, she developed the new musicianship curriculum for our musical theatre and bachelor of arts majors at Shenandoah Conservatory. In Spring 2020, Romano was recognized as a SUperwoman of SU by Shenandoah University’s (Not Just) Women’s Center. Romano recently served as the adjunct representative to Shenandoah Conservatory’s Emergency Preparation for Online Operations Committee.
Educational History:
B.M. Shenandoah Conservatory; M.M., San Francisco State University
Fields of Expertise:
- Musicianship
- Music Theory
- Applied Flute
- Ensemble Coaching
Professional Highlights:
Romano’s performance-based approach to ear training is profiled in the new groundbreaking theory pedagogy text “Teaching Music Theory – New Voices and Approaches (Oxford)” by Jennifer Snodgrass. Romano’s case study, “Accommodating Dyslexia in the Ear Training Classroom,” was published in The Routledge Companion to Music Theory Pedagogy in 2019. She has published numerous pedagogical articles for Flute Talk, The Flute View and Bridging the Music Theory Gap. She has served as the coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic High School Flute Choir and currently serves as assistant secretary/secretary-elect of the National Flute Association. Previously, she served on the faculties of Solano College and Sacramento State University – Community Music Division, and held the position of principal flute with the California Wind Orchestra, Camellia Symphony Orchestra and the Solano Symphony. She also performed with the Sacramento Ballet Orchestra, San Francisco Concerto Orchestra and the North Bay Opera, among others. She has recorded on the Cantilena label.
Romano performs throughout the Shenandoah Valley, as a chamber musician, soloist and orchestral performer. She is also a professional service musician at Bethel Lutheran Church in Winchester.
Romano also maintains a vibrant home studio in Winchester, Virginia, for students who are selected by interview. She teaches all levels, from beginners to young professionals, adult amateurs, and competitive students and those seeking admission to top music schools.
Personal Quote:Any student who has taken one of my classes will tell you that our mantra is, “There is no such thing as a musical emergency.”
My goal as an educator is to integrate my experience as an active performer into the classroom, and to create an equitable and supportive and encouraging classroom and online environment. This type of environment empowers students to own their successes. I believe in meeting students where they are. I believe in allowing students non-graded and low-stakes opportunities to try, fail, and learn from those failures, using failure as leverage for further learning and achievement. In this way, students develop confidence and ownership in their own professionalism and musicianship. I am committed to supporting all students and maintaining an environment of equity in my classroom.
Personal Highlights:
In addition to my work at Shenandoah, I enjoy inspiring young musicians in my home studio, where I teach private lessons, coach ensembles and give lessons in music theory and musicianship. These students inspire me daily with their love for music and for learning and keep me constantly on my toes — looking for new ways to engage, interact and motivate. I live in downtown Winchester and enjoy the work of a “slow restoration” on our Victorian vernacular home with my husband, two children and three cats. The cats are no help at all. I enjoy engaging with our local community and currently serve on the John Handley High School PTSO Executive Board.
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