Dear Shoesmith Students and Families,

     My name is Mx. Kuehl and I am excited to begin another year at Shoesmith as the K-6 General Music teacher! The 2024-2025 school year will be my third year teaching. I graduated from Luther College with a Bachelor’s Degree in K-12 Music Education and Sociology. I completed my student teaching with a focus in Urban Education just down the street from Shoesmith and found my way back to Hyde Park and Kenwood in the Spring of 2024 after teaching at other CPS schools for two years. This fall will begin my first full year at Shoesmith, but I’ll see many familiar faces as I was able to meet most classes last semester!

     I am passionate about bringing students’ creativity to life through music. I have the wonderful opportunity to teach your students from Kindergarten all the way through Sixth Grade, and it brings me so much joy to watch them learn and grow over these seven years together. Music class is FUN– each class is filled with singing, dancing, playing instruments, and learning music games. My goal is to help your student understand more about the music they listen to every day. We will create music together in each class, working to collaborate as an ensemble and build our abilities to reflect and refine our work. Doing so will lead us to become independent musicians and improve a little bit every day! We’ll also work to develop performance skills that can help build our communication skills and self-confidence.

     When I’m not at school, you can find me doing outside activities like biking, hiking, or walking through the forest preserves. I also love reading and crocheting! And, of course, music is a huge part of my life. I am a part of a professional choir, Chicago Choral Artists, and I sing and play ‘ukulele or guitar in a few amateur bands. I also help lead the CPS All-City High School Modern (Rock) Band. You might even be able to find me DJing or hosting a Karaoke night during the summer months.

     Check out the links below to see what each grade level will be learning in music this year. Also included below is the grading policy used in Music school-wide and our supply list for the upcoming year.

     I’m looking forward to a wonderful year of music-making! As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Here’s to a great year!

Rock on,
Emma Kuehl
[email protected] 
Before/After School Opportunities:
  • 3rd-6th Graders can sign up for FREE instrumental music lessons (ex. clarinet, flute, trumpet, trombone, baritone, percussion) with West Point School of Music. Lessons take place on Mondays from 3:45-5:30pm at Shoesmith. Registration will occur in the fall.​
  • 5th-6th Graders can sing in the Choir offered through United Voices Chicago. This program is FREE and meets during the day at Shoesmith. There may be outside performances and field trips required for members of this ensemble. Sign-ups will occur in the fall.
  • All-City Performing Arts is a FREE program through the CPS department of Arts Education that offers extra ensemble opportunities for CPS students starting in 3rd Grade. Classes like Band, Choir, Modern Band, Dance, Theater, and more are offered for a few hours every Saturday during the school year at Jones College Prep. More info on registration and auditions can be found here.
  • This year I am looking to start a Modern Band club for Grades 4-6. We will hold an interest session and auditions in September. Information will be given to students in class about how and when these sessions will occur.