Hi! I'm Ms. Dean-Knapp. This is my seventh year at James Workman Middle School and I love it here. Growing up I played softball and soccer with the AYSO in Palm Desert. In 5th grade I decided that I wanted to learn to play the flute and I've been playing it ever since. I grew up in Palm Desert and graduated from PDMS and PDHS. I have one brother who is 17 months younger than me. I am the third generation teacher in my family, my grandmother and great aunt were teachers in Los Angeles and my mother is a teacher in Thermal. I knew from about sixth grade that I wanted to be a music teacher “when I grew up.” Once I knew what I wanted to do for the rest of my life I made many important decisions that helped me reach my goal. The first decision was to go to UCLA and study music.
At UCLA I received my Bachelor's of Arts degree in Flute Performance and Music Education. While at UCLA I played in the Philharmonia Orchestra, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Choral Orchestra and Film Orchestra. The coolest part about being in marching band in college was that I got to go on a lot of trips with the band for free (Cotton Bowl, Rose Bowl, Women's Basketball Championship in Tuscalusa, Alabama, just to name a few) and play at all the home football and basketball games (and get free tickets for my friends and parents). I even got to march in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA in 1999 which was on National TV! I also got to play for President Clinton on his re-election tour at Universal Studios (with the marching band). I have a picture to prove it!
After UCLA I went to the University of Redlands where I received my Master's degree in Flute Performance and my California State Teaching Credential in Music. While there I played in the school Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. I also taught private flute lessons through the local Community School of Music and started a middle school and high school flute choir, as well as, a college level flute choir.
In my free time I like to play the flute and listen to all types of music. Music is my life! I am doing what I have always wanted to do. Music is my passion and my voice. I also enjoy taking pictures in my free time. Anyone who knows me also knows that I love France! I went to Paris, Montpellier and Cannes during the summer of 2001 and fell in love with the country, the people and the food! I collect Eiffel Towers and anything French! I also love cooking and baking for my family and friends.