“I think Cathedral chose me,” said Ms. Jessica Swift, new art teacher here at Cathedral. Looking for a change in her life, Ms. Swift applied here last spring because Cathedral is a school that wants more knowledge in music.

“When I was a kid, I went to Catholic school through eighth grade. I chose to go to a public high school because they had a music program, and the local, private Catholic high schools did not,” said Ms. Swift.

To make her dreams possible for the private school students at Cathedral, she created a band ensemble so that anyone interested can participate in the music program. Ms. Swift does not just stop at contemporary band, but she also helps students in Foundations, a class that can assist anyone interested in music, theater, and dance.

Loving the campus and the people from the start, Ms. Swift knew this was the school for her. She strongly felt that she was meant to be here, and she’s “excited about all the opportunities here and the support from the faculty and students,” said Ms. Swift. She wants to help students strive for a career in music. She also wants to share her experience in mentoring with the students and help them learn and grow. Ms. Swift is enthusiastic about watching the students grow as musicians, and wants to eventually gain more students to expand the band.

Climbing a mountain with music and literally climbing a mountain, Ms. Swift can do it all. She enjoys mountaineering, hiking, and rock climbing in her free time, and these are a few of her other passions outside of music. Ms. Swift loves the outdoors and said with a laugh, “I’m an avid beach volleyball player, but just for fun. You won’t see me in the Olympics.”

Ms. Swift has also learned to play many instruments. Although she grew up primarily playing the piano, her main instrument is the French Horn. She is, however, trained to play every instrument so she can better help all of her students.

One of Ms. Swift’s goals this year is to help support the Dons, but in her own unique way. She pumps up the crowds regularly at sports games with a drum ensemble and a live band. Showing her lively enthusiasm all around, Ms. Swift said her motto for her teaching and for the school band this year is: CCHS Music, be a part of the sound.