About the Author
(Biography compiled from Denise's CV courtesy of a fellow author and friend.)
Denise Elam Dauw holds a M.M. in Music Education from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and a B.M. in Music Education from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. She holds Career CPC certifications in K-12 Instrumental Music and K-12 Vocal Music with intentions to begin work toward National Board certification in 2024. Specializing in instrumental music primarily as a band director in St. Louis, Denise has also taught choir, orchestra, piano, music history and appreciation, guitar, jazz band, marching band, and color guard over her 23 year tenure in Missouri. (LinkedIn profile here.) Memberships include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA), Missouri Bandmasters Association (MBA), Missouri Women Band Directors Association (MWMBA), Rockwood National Education Association (RNEA), St. Louis Writers Guild, and lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), a professional music fraternity for women.
For 15 years, Wildwood Middle in Rockwood School District has been Denise’s home. As Director of Bands, Denise instills a nourishing and nurturing environment where students thrive being part of a true band family. Performances at large ensemble festivals yield consistent superior ratings, and under her tutelage as both assistant and head director, Wildwood has made 2 appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) In-Service Conference over the last 5 years. Wildwood’s appearance at the January 2023 state conference was a crowning achievement on the heels of Covid. The selected ensemble started Beginning Band over a computer screen at home, which serves as testament to Denise’s passion and dedication to keep the train running (honoring students' needs) during a pandemic.
In the WMS bands, students are encouraged to share their talents with the community through numerous opportunities. Students look forward to a yearly invitation to perform for the St. Louis Cardinals, they volunteer in holiday caroling club performances at assisted living facilities and in school assemblies, and respond to requests to perform for charitable events, like the St. Louis Walk to End Alzheimer's. In addition, students may select to participate in the St. Louis middle school honor band, solo and ensemble festival, and a weekend trip to perform in the Chicago USA Music Festival.
The Wildwood Middle School Symphonic Orchestra (WMSSO), an after school club, has grown to a 75 student personnel over the last 10 years under Denise's baton. It is the only site-based middle school orchestra in Rockwood and surrounding area. Prior to Covid, she facilitated a peer mentoring program after school where band students could learn a secondary instrument or a new instrument if they missed Beginning Band in 6th grade. She also sponsored a color guard club and jazz club. When Denise sees an opportunity to enrich lives, she does everything she can to help.
Denise works hard to contribute to the music education field overall. Her 2014 clinic at MMEA on Addressing Forgotten Standards in the Ensemble: Music History, Composition, and Improvisation is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Having previously served as middle school band PLC lead in Rockwood, presentations to colleagues include project-based learning in ensembles, creative differentiation practices, SMART goal implementation, and double reed instructional methods. Across multiple districts, she has advised, drafted, and revised music curricula ensuring current alignment with state and national standards. Servant leadership roles include work on the best grading practices committee and co-chairing Rockwood’s Curriculum Advisory Council for 9 years.
Denise regularly answers the call to clinic and adjudicate area ensembles, judge honor band auditions, and lead sectionals for suburban and district honor bands. She has volunteered time with the Lafayette, Marquette, and Eureka (Rockwood) high school bands over her tenure. At Wildwood, she was building coordinator for the Arts & Education Council campaign multiple years, chaired the social committee for 5 years, and continues to rotate as Encore team lead. In prior years, Denise volunteered to be a staff representative on the PTO, Building Leadership Team, Rockwood NEA, the school environment committee, and service learning committee.
Denise’s philanthropy is second to none. As an Adult Alzheimer’s Community Educator (AACE) volunteer for the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Denise presents adult programs to increase dementia awareness. She has also facilitated raising nearly $50,000 over the past decade as Rockwood’s liaison to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and The Longest Day campaigns. Prior to Covid, her Musicians for Memories team, The Elam Quartet, performed annually at assisted living facilities around St. Louis (even Busch Stadium once!) to honor The Longest Day campaign.
As a published author (If Music Be the Food of Love, 2nd Ed. 2020) and member of the St. Louis Writers Guild, Denise donates all book proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association. She has logged over 90 public engagements since 2013 to honor a cause dear to her heart. Denise’s presentation entitled Music & Memory: A Gateway to Lucidity describes the power of music in the brain (including anatomy and our responses to music), memory-related brain research, in-home music therapies, and provides samples for a prescribed repertoire. Denise’s (website) blogs aim to inspire readers, with topics ranging from music education to music advocacy, current Alzheimer’s research and caregiver tips, guest blogs, to music and memory. Writing for a Cause is another requested author presentation which has brought her into schools and community centers around St. Louis.
In addition, Denise spent years as a music catechist, flautist, and taught K-5 music for PSR (Parish School of Religion) classes at St. Clare of Assisi Church. Outside performing opportunities have included a side-by-side educator concert with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Baptist University Concert Band, and the Millikin University alumni band in recent years.
When Denise sees a chance to share her gifts as a servant leader, she enthusiastically responds. She is a positive role model for constituents and fellow educators, but most importantly, for her students whom she honors by her actions. It is obvious Denise cares deeply about her students as human beings first and musicians second in the Wildwood band family. Their phenomenal achievements are proudly posted on Twitter/X @TimberwolfBand for all to celebrate.
Denise resides in St. Louis with husband, Bob, and her children, Lana and Luke.
Denise Elam Dauw holds a M.M. in Music Education from the University of Missouri – St. Louis and a B.M. in Music Education from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. She holds Career CPC certifications in K-12 Instrumental Music and K-12 Vocal Music with intentions to begin work toward National Board certification in 2024. Specializing in instrumental music primarily as a band director in St. Louis, Denise has also taught choir, orchestra, piano, music history and appreciation, guitar, jazz band, marching band, and color guard over her 23 year tenure in Missouri. (LinkedIn profile here.) Memberships include the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA), Missouri Bandmasters Association (MBA), Missouri Women Band Directors Association (MWMBA), Rockwood National Education Association (RNEA), St. Louis Writers Guild, and lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), a professional music fraternity for women.
For 15 years, Wildwood Middle in Rockwood School District has been Denise’s home. As Director of Bands, Denise instills a nourishing and nurturing environment where students thrive being part of a true band family. Performances at large ensemble festivals yield consistent superior ratings, and under her tutelage as both assistant and head director, Wildwood has made 2 appearances at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) In-Service Conference over the last 5 years. Wildwood’s appearance at the January 2023 state conference was a crowning achievement on the heels of Covid. The selected ensemble started Beginning Band over a computer screen at home, which serves as testament to Denise’s passion and dedication to keep the train running (honoring students' needs) during a pandemic.
In the WMS bands, students are encouraged to share their talents with the community through numerous opportunities. Students look forward to a yearly invitation to perform for the St. Louis Cardinals, they volunteer in holiday caroling club performances at assisted living facilities and in school assemblies, and respond to requests to perform for charitable events, like the St. Louis Walk to End Alzheimer's. In addition, students may select to participate in the St. Louis middle school honor band, solo and ensemble festival, and a weekend trip to perform in the Chicago USA Music Festival.
The Wildwood Middle School Symphonic Orchestra (WMSSO), an after school club, has grown to a 75 student personnel over the last 10 years under Denise's baton. It is the only site-based middle school orchestra in Rockwood and surrounding area. Prior to Covid, she facilitated a peer mentoring program after school where band students could learn a secondary instrument or a new instrument if they missed Beginning Band in 6th grade. She also sponsored a color guard club and jazz club. When Denise sees an opportunity to enrich lives, she does everything she can to help.
Denise works hard to contribute to the music education field overall. Her 2014 clinic at MMEA on Addressing Forgotten Standards in the Ensemble: Music History, Composition, and Improvisation is the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Having previously served as middle school band PLC lead in Rockwood, presentations to colleagues include project-based learning in ensembles, creative differentiation practices, SMART goal implementation, and double reed instructional methods. Across multiple districts, she has advised, drafted, and revised music curricula ensuring current alignment with state and national standards. Servant leadership roles include work on the best grading practices committee and co-chairing Rockwood’s Curriculum Advisory Council for 9 years.
Denise regularly answers the call to clinic and adjudicate area ensembles, judge honor band auditions, and lead sectionals for suburban and district honor bands. She has volunteered time with the Lafayette, Marquette, and Eureka (Rockwood) high school bands over her tenure. At Wildwood, she was building coordinator for the Arts & Education Council campaign multiple years, chaired the social committee for 5 years, and continues to rotate as Encore team lead. In prior years, Denise volunteered to be a staff representative on the PTO, Building Leadership Team, Rockwood NEA, the school environment committee, and service learning committee.
Denise’s philanthropy is second to none. As an Adult Alzheimer’s Community Educator (AACE) volunteer for the Greater Missouri Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, Denise presents adult programs to increase dementia awareness. She has also facilitated raising nearly $50,000 over the past decade as Rockwood’s liaison to the Walk to End Alzheimer’s and The Longest Day campaigns. Prior to Covid, her Musicians for Memories team, The Elam Quartet, performed annually at assisted living facilities around St. Louis (even Busch Stadium once!) to honor The Longest Day campaign.
As a published author (If Music Be the Food of Love, 2nd Ed. 2020) and member of the St. Louis Writers Guild, Denise donates all book proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Association. She has logged over 90 public engagements since 2013 to honor a cause dear to her heart. Denise’s presentation entitled Music & Memory: A Gateway to Lucidity describes the power of music in the brain (including anatomy and our responses to music), memory-related brain research, in-home music therapies, and provides samples for a prescribed repertoire. Denise’s (website) blogs aim to inspire readers, with topics ranging from music education to music advocacy, current Alzheimer’s research and caregiver tips, guest blogs, to music and memory. Writing for a Cause is another requested author presentation which has brought her into schools and community centers around St. Louis.
In addition, Denise spent years as a music catechist, flautist, and taught K-5 music for PSR (Parish School of Religion) classes at St. Clare of Assisi Church. Outside performing opportunities have included a side-by-side educator concert with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Missouri Baptist University Concert Band, and the Millikin University alumni band in recent years.
When Denise sees a chance to share her gifts as a servant leader, she enthusiastically responds. She is a positive role model for constituents and fellow educators, but most importantly, for her students whom she honors by her actions. It is obvious Denise cares deeply about her students as human beings first and musicians second in the Wildwood band family. Their phenomenal achievements are proudly posted on Twitter/X @TimberwolfBand for all to celebrate.
Denise resides in St. Louis with husband, Bob, and her children, Lana and Luke.