A Valpo Life in the Spotlight: Lynda Galbiati

LyndaHeadshotBorn in New Jersey and raised in Central New York and New England, Lynda Galbiati came to the area when she was 17 to study Music Education at Valparaiso University. When she graduated from VU in 1979, she could not have been happier to accept an opportunity to stay in the area.

"It was my good fortune to be hired by Valparaiso Community Schools immediately after my graduation from Valparaiso University," Galbiati said. "It has been one of the best experiences of my life."

Originally, Galbiati was hired in to teach at four different elementary schools in Valpo – Memorial, Hayes Leonard, the old Flint Lake Elementary School, and Parkview Elementary. Over the past three decades, however, Galbiati has found herself in a far different setting – teaching band, choir, orchestra and general music at both middle schools and at Valpo High School. Currently, Galbiati teaches choir and 6th grade general music at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and 8th grade general music at Ben Franklin Middle School. She has also had the pleasure to be the vocal director for a few musicals at both Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools and Valpo High School.

"Certainly, a favorite element of being a teacher is being a part of the lives of the young people who walk in my door," Galbiati said. "Teaching beginners' performance classes is very satisfying to me. This is where we set the stage – where students can realize for the first time the satisfaction that disciplined practice and committed teamwork can ultimately provide. I take my job as a role model very seriously and derive great joy from witnessing the musical and personal growth of the young people who choose to learn to read and make music with me."

One of her favorite teaching opportunities has been collaborative – working with other teachers and faculty members to make a performance come together. This past fall, they have arranged collaborations where the choir students perform with the band and orchestra students.

"I have been blessed to work with many wonderful teachers and accompanists who are smart, talented, caring and funny. Who wouldn't love this job?" Galbiati said. "That kind of work is very fun! I also love being able to work with singers from around the region and state, and encourage my students to prepare for Circle the State with Song Festival in Hebron, and have a few students preparing for the All-State Honor Choir."

In her spare time, Galbiati enjoys gardening and cooking, as well as spending time with all of her kids who live far away now.

"I love to be at home with my husband, Mike, growing, harvesting, preparing and eating our organic produce and fancy fungi," Galbiati said. "We really like to play outdoors, whether in our backyard or far, far away."

Recently, Galbiati and her husband moved into a 50-year-old house and are spending their time remodeling and restoring it.