Eric Levine

General Music Teacher at an elementary school Irwin Academic Center

Education: BM: K-12 Instrumental Music Education, UNC Charlotte (2023)

Hometown: Charlotte, NC

Eric Levine was first influenced to join a middle school band with his friends who told him “trumpet is the coolest instrument to play”. Now, 13 years later, Eric no longer needs his friends to tell him that he already knows. His love for trumpet has grown over the years and now includes all instruments, and he now shares that love by teaching young students music.

Currently, Eric is a General Music Teacher at an elementary school at Irwin Academic Center, which is a magnet public school for gifted students.

Eric said education at UNC Charlotte prepared him in more ways than he could imagine for this career. From taking classes on assessment and discipline, to clinical observations of teachers in the field, to peer teaching his former colleagues and evaluating the pros and cons of his teaching.

He also mentioned that he has many cherished memories from UNC Charlotte. Most of them revolve around quality time spent with peers and friends inside Robinson Hall early mornings, late nights, and in the practice rooms between classes. His fondest memory is conducting the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band for his last football game of the season as The Drum Major. Eric said, “I will always be thankful for the opportunity to create everlasting memories and connection during my time at UNC Charlotte.”

After graduating from UNC Charlotte, Eric undertook a pilgrimage across Spain where he trekked 500 miles in 35 days. This adventure taught him just as much, if not more, than his college experience, and inadvertently affected his day to day professional life teaching music.

His advice to current students?

“My best advice is to live, breathe, and stay present in each moment. Through all the stress and hardship you’ll face, you are truly living the best years of your life. Take advantage of every opportunity to be involved with others, you will leave college with few regrets if you do so.”