Mary Dawn Burdette received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and her Masters in Music Education from Ithaca College. Miss Burdette has also received Permanent Certification to teach Music from NYSED for Kindergarten through 12th grades. Miss Burdette worked at LaFargeville Central School as their Director of Bands and Instrumental Instructor for 33 years. While teaching, Miss Burdette had three or four different concert bands annually, a marching band and a community jazz band. Miss Burdette also taught general music classes including high school theory, music history and music styles and composers. Miss Burdette helped students achieve goals such as acceptance to select groups like Bi County’s, Area All State and Conference All State groups. She also has prepared students for college and military band auditions and taught students who have become professional musicians and educators. COVID pushed Miss Burdette into early retirement and she is currently accepting private students who wish to play just about anything (flute, clarinet, saxophone, French horn, trumpet, trombone, baritone, percussion drum set, mallets, marching percussion, violin, viola, classical beginning guitar and beginning piano). Miss Burdette is also accepting members to play in MEC’s jazz ensemble and string ensemble. Miss Burdette has taught for MEC in Watertown since 2021.