Emily Sheffield

Elementary General Music Teacher for Wake County Public School System
Education: Bachelor of Music Education, UNC Charlotte (2022)
Hometown: Brevard, NC
Emily Sheffield first became interested in music in fifth grade when she was part of her elementary school choir. She said her wonderful music teacher, Ms. Sarah Moser, allowed her to audition for the NC Honors Chorus, and the rest is history.
Now Emily is inspiring her own students. As an elementary general music teacher for Wake County Public School System in Raleigh, she teaches kids from Kindergarten through 5th grade. Focusing on her primary love, singing, she also incorporates a variety of percussion and Orff instruments. In 2024, she started her school’s first ever after-school Choir Club, which has been a great success.
Emily says the professors at UNC Charlotte were an amazing example of how to run a classroom and music program. “I am glad that my education was expansive enough to understand general music as well as choral, so that I could implement both into my program. UNC Charlotte prepared me to be a versatile and prepared educator. I have my education professors, peers, and voice teacher to thank for this..
Among Emily’s favorite memories from her time at UNC Charlotte are the University Chorale’s tour to Italy, where they performed at Saint Mark’s Basilica in Venice, and participating in the women’s choir, The Charlotteans, which had many performances for university and community events.
In addition to teaching full time, Emily is also in the North Carolina Master Chorale. During her time with the Chorale, she has had the opportunity to be a part of performances with the North Carolina Symphony, and performed “This Love Between Us” by Reena Esmail.
“It is an amazing piece of music that I was grateful to be a part of. I also sang with the North Carolina Symphony in 2023 with their performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah.’”
Emily’s advice for students: “Take advantage of the amazing opportunities in Charlotte! There are so many arts programs and jobs available to students where you can have amazing and fulfilling experiences.”