CHILLICOTHE – Music is her thing, and she wants to pass it on.
“I was always very creative, and I grew up loving the arts,” recalled Michelle Turon. “I was very involved in art, dance, theater, and music. As I grew older, I realized I loved the connections made through these activities and that I wanted to continue by turning it into a career.”
Today, Turon is the band director at Chillicothe High School.
“I work with the high school concert bands, marching band, pep band, and jazz band,” she explained.
“It is so rewarding watching students work hard for their success,” she added. “I love watching students push themselves to perform at high levels and come out of their shells to try something new. Band provides students with many learning opportunities that shape them into strong individuals. There’s something so special about watching 5th graders grow up and eventually turn into high school seniors. Some of our students even continue to pursue music in college, whether they become music majors or participate in their college marching band programs. We are creating memories they will carry for the rest of their lives, and I love getting to be a part of it.”
Turon grew up in Lancaster, graduated from Lancaster High School in 2011, then summa cum laude from Ohio University in 2015, majoring in music education.
“Even from elementary school, I realized I had passion for music class,” she said. “My elementary music teacher, Sue Ellen Simmons, made music enjoyable and I’ll always be thankful for the strong foundation she provided. I also had impactful band directors through my middle school and high school years that certainly inspired me to be the best I could be.
“I loved the opportunities I had in my high school band program,” she added, “and was very involved in marching band, symphonic band, and pep band. I loved the lessons it taught me, both in music and in life. I realized that programs like this leave lasting impacts on people’s lives, and it was something I wanted to continue to create for future students like me.”
Turon started teaching at Chillicothe High School in 2016, her first job following college.
Alicia Vitatoe is the current president of the Chillicothe High School Band Boosters.
“Mrs. Turon came to Chillicothe High School eight years ago and has taken a good band program and elevated it to a program of excellence,” assessed Vitatoe. “The number of students being drawn to the band program is increasing each year, and the marching band and wind ensemble are making regular appearances at OMEA state competitions. The metrics are great indicators of a strong program, but the best thing about Michelle Turon is how much you can tell she cares about her students.”
“I’m incredibly thankful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given that have led me to where I am today,” Turon responded. “I enjoy working in Chillicothe and I love my music colleagues in the area. They’re very supportive. I also met my husband by being a band director in Ross County (he was previously a band director as well), so I’ll forever be thankful for accepting the job at Chillicothe.”
“We’ve created a special place in the Chillicothe band program,” she concluded, “and I’m proud of the work we’ve done over the last few years. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else!”
For more information about Chillicothe High School, log on www.ccsd.us.
About the Series
Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at [email protected].