Willow Neilson

Background

About Willow Neilson

I am a music educator, learning designer, performer, and composer with more than 25 years of international experience. Currently, I teach TK–4 music for the Los Nietos School District in Whittier, California, where I bring together my background as a performer, curriculum designer, and classroom teacher to create joyful and meaningful learning experiences for children.I began my career at eighteen as a saxophone tutor while studying at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where I graduated with first-class honors in jazz studies. As a performer, I toured widely, placed in three international saxophone competitions, and appeared at major festivals including Montreux, London, and Shanghai. Along the way, I backed artists such as John Legend and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Even while performing, I always kept a foot in education, developing instrumental and band programs in Australia and China.In 2006 I earned my teaching credential, and in 2016 I completed a Master of Arts in Learning Design and Technology at San Diego State University. These studies opened the door for me to work in education technology with Cultural Infusion and Age of Learning (ABCmouse), where I designed interactive music learning games and curriculum resources. This work expanded my perspective on how creativity, pedagogy, and technology can intersect to support diverse learners.In 2019, I returned to full-time classroom teaching at international schools in Xiamen, China, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Teaching during the challenges of COVID-19 was formative—it reminded me why I love teaching music and strengthened my commitment to creating culturally responsive, inclusive classrooms.Whether developing game-based learning tools, composing original works, or leading young students in movement and song, my pedagogy reflects my belief that music is both a tool for learning and a pathway for belonging. My mission as an educator is to help students discover their voices, connect with one another, and build confidence through the transformative power of music.