Marie Abigail "Abi" Ortiz
Music and Choir Teacher / Mentor
Auckland,AUK
Summary
Experienced Waldorf Music and Middle School Science Teacher with over 10 years of experience in Steiner Education. Excellent reputation for bringing out the love of singing together and of learning the sciences, improving current music curriculum, and driving overall department improvements.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Grades 1 to 9 Music and Choir Teacher
Michael Park School
07.2025 - 12.2025
- Developed and implemented engaging choral curriculum for diverse student age groups.
- Fostered a collaborative environment through group rehearsals and performance preparation.
- Conducted assessments to monitor student progress and adjust instructional strategies.
- Collaborated with faculty to integrate music education across various subjects and activities.
- Organized community events showcasing student talents and achievements.
Grade 6 Teacher
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
01.2023 - 07.2025
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Collaborated with colleagues to enhance curriculum quality through innovative teaching practices.
- Designed and implemented daily lesson plans covering required lesson topics, learning strategies and social skills.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict resolution, critical thinking, communication and classroom management improvements.
- Assessed and documented progress of each student
Gades 1 to 12 Choir Teacher
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
02.2022 - 12.2025
- Designed and implemented weekly lesson plans to ensure love for singing together
- Documented progress of each class
- Applied classroom management by creating a positive learning environment
- Designed and implemented lesson plan for singing with confidence, foundations of music theory, and singing in groups up to 4-part harmonies
Titirangi Community Choir Master
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
02.2023 - Current
- Inspired a love of choral music in attendees, leading to increased choir participation and retention.
- Educated attendees on proper vocal techniques and vocal warm-ups.
- Enhanced choir performance by implementing innovative rehearsal techniques and strategies.
- Worked with both adults and children and shaped approaches to align with student experience level and musical knowledge.
Music and Movement Workshop Mentor
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
09.2023 - Current
- Designed and implemented workshops to foster healthy singing and love for singing together
- Introduced appropriate music and movement exercises to fit the needs of the workshop and expand attendees' knowledge of music
Voice and Basic Piano Tutor
Private Practice
09.2023 - Current
- Prepared students for successful recitals and performances through focused coaching on stage presence, healthy technique, and expression.
- Provided consistent scheduling options for busy families while remaining adaptable to accommodate unforeseen changes or conflicts.
- Improved students' sight-reading skills by integrating carefully selected practice materials and exercises.
- Incorporated ear training exercises into lessons to enhance students' listening skills and reinforce theoretical concepts.
Grade 7 & 8 Science Teacher
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
02.2022 - 12.2022
- Prepared and implemented lesson plans covering required course topics.
- Kept classroom environments consistent and focused on learning by establishing and enforcing clear objectives.
- Diversified teaching techniques and learning tools help students with differing ability levels and varied learning modalities.
- Documented progress of each student
Relief Teacher / Teacher Aide / Oscar Staff
Tauranga Waldorf School
11.2019 - 12.2021
- Taught diverse subjects for grades 3-7, teaching in absence of regular teacher.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Designed and implemented choir singing/music sessions for grades 2-7
- Aided class 1 and 2 main teachers
- Staffed for morning and afternoon OSCAR
Music Department Head
Manila Waldorf School
06.2018 - 04.2019
- Developed team communications and information for department and COT meetings.
- Collaborated with other departments to achieve harmony and consistency in music aspect of curriculum
- Developed and implemented performance improvement strategies and plans to promote continuous improvement.
- Identified concerns, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Grade 3 Music Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
01.2019 - 04.2019
- Designed and implemented lesson plan for Foundations of Music Theory
- Documented progress of learning for each child
- Designed creative teaching materials
Grade 4 Science Block Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2018 - 04.2019
- Designed and implemented lesson plan for Man and Animals Block
- Documented progress of learning for each child
- Organized a class field trip to the zoo
Middle and Upper School Recorder Ensemble Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2015 - 04.2019
- Designed and implemented weekly lesson plans to ensure mastery of playing
- Documented progress of each student
- Designed creative teaching materials
- Applied classroom management by creating positive learning environment
Middle and Upper School Choir Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2015 - 04.2019
- Designed and implemented weekly lesson plans to ensure love for singing together
- Documented progress of each student
- Applied classroom management by creating positive learning environment
- Organized school activities like field trips (watching concerts) and had visiting musicians
- Collaborated closely with class teachers and Festival Committee
Grade 7 and 8 Science Block Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2014 - 04.2019
- Designed and implemented lesson plans for Physics and Chemistry blocks
- Documented progress of learning for each child
- Organized a class field trip to a sugar plantation
Grade 1 Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
03.2013 - 10.2013
- Built positive relationships with parents to involve families in educational process.
- Designed and implemented daily lesson plans covering required lesson topics, learning strategies and social skills.
- Helped students develop self-esteem and life skills by fostering healthy conflict resolution, critical thinking, communication and classroom management improvements.
- Assessed and documented progress of each student
Grades 1 to 7 Music and Choir Teacher
Michael Park School
01.2026 - Current
- Developed and implemented engaging lesson plans for diverse student populations.
- Incorporated movement and vocal training exercises to enhance kinesthetic awareness, students' singing techniques and performance skills.
- Explored diverse choral repertoire to expose students to various styles, time periods, and cultures in music history.
- Familiarised students to the fundamentals of music and taught recorder playing.
- Collaborated with faculty to integrate music education into broader curriculum initiatives.
Education
Graduate Diploma - Teaching (Primary)
Waikato University
Hamilton, WKO01.2023
Post Graduate Diploma - Applied Professional Studies - Adult Teaching
Toi Ohomai
Rotorua11.2020
Bachelor - Early Childhood Care And Development
Kalayaan College
Manila, Philippines03.2012
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medicine
University of The Philippines Los Baños
Laguna, PhilippinesSkills
- Group and individual instruction
- Lesson Implementation
- Arranging and selecting music
- Teacher collaboration
- Curriculum development
- English fluency
- Certified "The Extra Lesson" practitioner
REFEREES
Available upon request
Timeline
Grades 1 to 7 Music and Choir Teacher
Michael Park School
01.2026 - Current
Grades 1 to 9 Music and Choir Teacher
Michael Park School
07.2025 - 12.2025
Music and Movement Workshop Mentor
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
09.2023 - Current
Voice and Basic Piano Tutor
Private Practice
09.2023 - Current
Titirangi Community Choir Master
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
02.2023 - Current
Grade 6 Teacher
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
01.2023 - 07.2025
Gades 1 to 12 Choir Teacher
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
02.2022 - 12.2025
Grade 7 & 8 Science Teacher
Titirangi Rudolf Steiner School
02.2022 - 12.2022
Relief Teacher / Teacher Aide / Oscar Staff
Tauranga Waldorf School
11.2019 - 12.2021
Grade 3 Music Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
01.2019 - 04.2019
Music Department Head
Manila Waldorf School
06.2018 - 04.2019
Grade 4 Science Block Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2018 - 04.2019
Middle and Upper School Recorder Ensemble Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2015 - 04.2019
Middle and Upper School Choir Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2015 - 04.2019
Grade 7 and 8 Science Block Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
06.2014 - 04.2019
Grade 1 Teacher
Manila Waldorf School
03.2013 - 10.2013
Graduate Diploma - Teaching (Primary)
Waikato University
Post Graduate Diploma - Applied Professional Studies - Adult Teaching
Toi Ohomai
Bachelor - Early Childhood Care And Development
Kalayaan College
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medicine
University of The Philippines Los Baños