Portage High School Orchestra Director Annelise Rhoda has her parents to thank for the career that she loves as a music teacher. They encouraged her to follow what she loved, and being a music teacher has been her dream since she was a seventh-grader.
“It can be a hard choice to go into a field that is not as stable as being a science or math teacher, but my parents knew that I loved it and that it was my passion,” Rhoda said. “They said passion is always better than money and to follow my heart because I would enjoy work so much more. I really appreciate that they pushed me in that direction.”
Rhoda started playing the flute and cello as a fifth grader. She was surrounded by music growing up as her mom taught flute and piano lessons at their home. Her older two siblings also play instruments. Not only did she continue to play the flute and cello, but she also fell in love with the saxophone.
“We had music everywhere, and I loved it. I knew that I loved the flute because my mom played it, but I also loved the sound of the deeper cello,” Rhoda said. “I was fortunate the school district allowed me to learn two instruments, and I fell in love with both.”
As a seventh-grader, Rhoda was given a chance to conduct music with her peers during a district festival that included the top musicians from the area where she grew up in Massachusetts.
“I loved the feeling of conducting. I had not been on that side of music before,” Rhoda said.
She was also allowed to try her hand at conducting throughout her high school band career and was a drum major for one year before the marching band program was affected by a budget cut.
When Rhoda began looking at colleges, she was encouraged to attend Indiana University in Bloomington because it was a top music school. She was accepted there and continued pursuing music education, where her experiences helped shape her future. Rhoda soon learned that she wanted to inspire middle school students to love music as much as she does.
“I like teaching students new information about music. You can really only do that in the secondary level,” Rhoda said. “My first job was in LaPorte for two years doing middle school band.”
Rhoda taught sixth, seventh, and eighth-graders, which offered her a chance to switch gears during the day.
“You get to see their growth not only as musicians but also as people, and that’s the coolest part,” Rhoda said. “I get to meet them as young people and then watch them grow into adults. To be a part of that process is such as honor.”
Rhoda taught middle school students for eight years. She taught band at Willowcreek Middle School until two years ago when she became the Orchestra Director at Portage High School.
“I have played flute and cello for about 23 years, so I was excited about the opportunity to try my hand as the orchestra director at the high school,” Rhoda said.
While Rhoda was teaching at Willowcreek, the orchestra inspired her to think of more program ideas and a new form of appreciation of the program as well. Her opportunity to become the orchestra director happened when the previous director announced her retirement.
“I had no intention to move because I loved Willowcreek, the students, and the families,” Rhoda said. “I didn’t want to not take it and wonder what if. I have always loved the full orchestra.”
Rhoda also missed working with her husband, Drew Rhoda, who co-taught while Rhoda was at Willowcreek. Drew became an assistant director of band at the high school, limiting their work interactions. Rhoda started as the orchestra director during the fall of 2019.
“It has been nice to be full-time at the high school and to be back together,” Rhoda said. “That has been really cool for us.”
Since Rhoda has been at the high school, she has slowly started building the program she has always wanted. The pandemic and maternity leave slowed the process, but Rhoda is energized by the changes that will allow her to get back to what she loves, such as playing the cello.
“I love it. I plan to stay here, make some changes, and keep it going,” Rhoda said.
Rhoda focuses on the cello, flute, and saxophone, but she can play several other instruments. She also teaches piano and a music appreciation class at the high school. Portage High School is one of the few high schools that offer piano lessons.
Rhoda’s talents don’t stop with playing instruments. She is also a dancer who has competed in ballroom competitions. Her love of dance led her to choreograph the school musicals for the past three years.
“I had watched the high school musical and choreography, and I wondered if I could do that,” Rhoda said. “We got a new auditorium director, and she was looking for a new choreographer. I was going to try it for a year. It worked well, and it was so much fun.”
Being a part of the musicals has given Rhoda a chance to meet with a different group of students who are not involved with the band.