Music Teacher

Laura Ramos grew up in Allegany County, about two hours southwest of Ithaca, and is excited to be back in New York and joining the New Roots community. Before returning to New York, Laura spent five years teaching on Martha’s Vineyard and three years teaching on the South Shore of Boston. Most recently, she served as the 3rd–12th grade music teacher and chorus director at Onondaga Central Schools, just south of Syracuse.

Laura holds a B.M. in Music Education from Syracuse University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Teaching from Fitchburg State University. In addition to teaching in schools, she teaches private music lessons and performs as a vocalist, playing guitar, piano, and flute. She currently serves as Music Director of Transpose: Ithaca Queer Singers Alliance and as Music Coordinator at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Ithaca. Throughout her career, she has directed choirs and musical theatre productions and led performing arts and farm-based summer programs. She has also taught guitar, ukulele, drumming, songwriting, music literacy, and child and caregiver music classes.

Laura loves helping students build confidence, discover their creative voices, and find their own place within a music community. She is especially passionate about restorative justice and community building in school music spaces, as well as the healing and transformative power of music. She believes that music is for everyone and that every person can find a meaningful way to participate in and appreciate music.

Outside of music and teaching, Laura loves riding horses, hiking, practicing yoga, and spending time in nature. She especially enjoys hanging out with her husband and their dog, Winny. Laura also speaks Portuguese and loves visiting her husband’s home country of Brazil.

Email: lramos@newrootsschool.org