Jerry Levasseur of Presque Isle has been a music teacher in Aroostook County schools for 41 years. Even before he began his career, music was always an important part of his life. While growing up in Fort Fairfield, his aunt was a choral conductor and his grandmother played piano. He participated in his high school’s music program and developed a lifelong love of music that would influence his goals as an educator.
Levasseur has taught pre-K through second grade music at Pine Street Elementary School in Presque Isle and Mapleton Elementary School for most of his career. For the last two years he has also been the choral director at Presque Isle High School.
Though many things have changed in education, including the technology that students and teachers use every day, he finds students’ love of music never changes. In his elementary school classes, he still sees the smiles on the children’s faces and the joy that music brings when he leads them in song with his guitar.
Some of Levasseur’s most rewarding moments as a teacher have come from directing the Presque Isle High School chorus students. Chorus is an elective class, which means that all students have chosen to participate and want to challenge themselves as singers. He can see the close bonds students form with each other, especially when they perform a difficult song after weeks of practicing and improving their talents.
“We did a really difficult piece last year, Beethoven’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus,’ and it came together very well at the end,” Levasseur said. “The kids love a strong chorus and it’s so cool to see them singing together and feeling the emotion behind the song. The music is the common bond that brings them together.”
Over the years Levasseur has reconnected with many former students who are involved in music either professionally or as a hobby. One former student that he taught in first grade in Fort Fairfield early in his career returned to Aroostook County after singing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. She now plays piano for the Presque Isle High School chorus.
While serving as a judge for various high school jazz choir competitions around the state, Levasseur sometimes meets former students who are now music teachers and have their own jazz choirs.
As a longtime teacher, he has seen students gain many benefits from participating in music at the high school level. Singing and/or playing an instrument helps them become more disciplined and committed to whatever subjects and careers they pursue later on. But no matter where students’ lives take them, he encourages them to keep their love of music alive in any way they can.
“Maybe they won’t grow up to become professional musicians, but they might sing in a church choir or play in a band,” Levasseur said. “A lot of students don’t realize until they’ve been out of high school for a few years how much music means to them and how much they miss the experience. I want to give them that opportunity to enjoy music and each other’s company.”
Music has always played a major role for Levasseur, both inside and outside the classroom. He taught private keyboard and guitar lessons to children during the summers for many years and was a musician in rock and roll bands.
He has no definite plans for retirement yet, but says that as long as he still enjoys what he does every day, he will continue teaching.
“No matter what’s going on, there’s still a lot of joy and emotion that students find in making music. That’s one thing that hasn’t changed in over 40 years,” he said.
“One of the most important aspects of teaching music is showing enthusiasm whether it’s with the little kids or high school students. I want music to be fun at a young age, so that if they want to participate later on in life they can carry that enjoyment with them.”
