An accomplished violinist and music educator with more than 30 years of experience, Linda E. Mayer Ethier excels as a strings teacher and orchestra director at Sharon Public Schools in Massachusetts, which she joined in 2012. Driven by joy and passion for shaping students’ lives, she prepares and teaches lessons to meet national and state music standards; assesses and documents student progress; provides feedback and engages with students and families; readies students for concert performances and auditions; attends music festivals with students, and, most importantly, prepares them for musical independence beyond academic years.

As a testament to her impact on the high school, when Ms. Ethier started there, the orchestra program was relatively small, with only about 28 to 30 students. Over time, she expanded it to 84 students prior to COVID-19. Her role, initially part-time, became full-time as the program grew—there are now two orchestras, honors and repertory, a source of great pride for her. She believes in the power of music education, knowing firsthand how much immeasurable value it adds to one’s life. She started teaching in 1995 at Scituate High School, where she was active for 11 years, and served as an enrichment instructor within the Lincoln School Department from 2001 to 2009; in the midst of this position, she led the orchestra at Woonsocket Education Department. Ms. Ethier subsequently found success as a music teacher and orchestra director at Warwick Public Schools and a private instructor at Norwood Public Schools.

In addition, Ms. Ethier has been a freelance violinist since 1987, performing with several orchestras and across community theaters over the last few decades.

Music has always been part of Ms. Ethier’s life—from going with her parents to square dances to her mother exposing her to musical shows like “Hee Haw” and “The Lawrence Welk Show.” She taught herself to play the piano in her home at a young age, leading her to compose her own songs and develop a love for conducting and eventually master the violin through school lessons; as an introverted kid, she often spent time alone with music as a comfort and friend. Upon graduating from high school, she attended Rhode Island College, where she found mentors in professors and conductors, all of whom recognized her strong abilities not just in playing music but teaching it. Ms. Ethier earned a Bachelor of Science in music education and graduated cum laude in 1990 and would later bolster her credentials with a Master of Music in music education in 2016.

Looking toward the future of her career, Ms. Ethier strives to continue teaching and growing in her current position. She really enjoys her job and her students, and is always looking to improve. She plans to play a more active role in leadership by joining the executive board of SEMSBA and conducting a SEMSBA orchestra before retiring. Conducting, she says, “brings her such joy,” and through teaching, she strives to teach lessons on discipline, collaboration, communication, and perseverance.

Outside of her primary professional endeavors, Ms. Ethier braved a personal battle in 2009 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Journeying through treatment, surgeries, and eventual recovery, she learned just how strong she was, as well as gained more confidence, patience, humility, and gratitude. Afterward, she became involved as an active volunteer and fundraiser for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.