Photo submitted by Ramsey.

Addie Hess

In just her first full year of teaching, Ms. Ramsey has transformed Synergy into a team defined by respect, kindness, and renewed purpose: something students say they desperately needed. After stepping in during a turbulent transition last year, she quickly became the steady, compassionate leader the program had been missing. Synergy members describe her as a role model, a motivator, and even a lifesaver, crediting her with rebuilding the team’s culture and restoring their confidence. As both a choir teacher and show choir director, she brings passion, dedication, and heart to every rehearsal, competition, and conversation.

Four year Synergy member Emma Suneja stated that “Ramsey has brought back my faith in the department. After last year, it was hard to step into a new year of Show Choir knowing how much turmoil was going to carry over. Ramsey has created an entirely new team culture that I haven't seen before in my four years of being in Synergy. She prioritizes respect and kindness, and shows us that respect and kindness too. She is a great teacher and has learned so much despite it being her first full year teaching. I have gone to talk to her many times about problems in my life and she has always been a great support for me. She is a role model in every sense of the word and I know she will impact this school in a great way.”

Kenna Beaulieu (senior) provided this when asked how Ms. Ramsey has benefited Synergy: “When our old choir/show choir director resigned during the middle of the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Ramsey was the one who came and put us all under her wing. She was fresh out of college, and I can say for myself and many other students that she came at the perfect time and she truly saved Synergy. When our choir director resigned, I was nominated to step in for the couple of months before Ms Ramsey came into the district. As much as I loved it, it was extremely stressful as I was only a 16 year old junior. When I found out that we were getting a long term sub, the stress lifted. Ms. Ramsey 100% saved me. I was able to focus on my classes and my other extracurricular activities/responsibilities without the weight of being a teacher every day. Ms. Ramsey is now our show choir director and choir teacher at SSI. She is an outstanding director. She motivates, encourages, supports, praises and so much more. She spends hours upon hours preparing and making sure rehearsal and competitions run the best they can run. She makes rehearsal productive, but makes sure to keep the fun, and that's what drives me and the students to stay committed. Ms. Ramsey is our stability that Synergy needed when we were at our worst and it's incredible and admirable to see the amazing work and the change for good she's given this team as a first year teacher and director.”

Read more to hear from Ms. Ramsey:

How long have you been teaching? How did you know you wanted to be an educator?

This is my first full year of teaching! I was lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to work in the Hamilton school district last February, first as a sub at SSI and then as a replacement teacher up at TMS and the high school. I have wanted to teach choir since I was in middle school; music and specifically singing has been my greatest passion my entire life. I can thank music education for so much in my life, super cool experiences, some of my best friends, and a lot of life skills like dedication and perseverance.

What does a comp day look like from the director’s perspective?

On Comp days, our call-time is usually pretty early in the morning (one weekend we had to be at the high school to load the bus at 6 am!). I have a pretty long commute so I am usually up extremely early to make sure I have everything I need to be prepared for the competition. I get to the high school early to make sure the doors are open so people aren't stuck out in the cold! As everyone is arriving I am in communication with the bus driver, making sure they know where to go for us to load the bus with our equipment and ourselves. The whole team helps to load the bus and once we are all on board I quickly take attendance to make sure we have everyone, then we are off! On the bus ride I look over the director's packet to double check that I am aware of what's to come at the competition—they are all so different. When we arrive, Mr. Chanto and I usually divide and conquer. One of us goes with the students to drop things off at the homeroom and the other stays on the bus to direct them to where we unload equipment. Once everything is off the bus and where it is supposed to be, I use my time before and after we perform to watch as many shows as possible and meet other directors. Being so new I am trying to learn as much as possible!

What does music mean to you?

Music is my greatest passion. It has given me so much, some of my best friends, life skills such as perseverance, determination, and resilience, and some really cool experiences such as marching in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade when I was in high school. Music is a universal language that everyone can enjoy in their own way and I think that is so beautiful.

What are your goals for the show choir team this year?

My goal for the show choir team this year is to create an environment in which everyone feels welcome and included. In terms of scores and competitions, as long as everyone is trying their best and we are improving as a team each week, that is all I ask for!

What is your favorite part of being Synergy's director?

My favorite part of being Synergy's director is the students involved! During the day, I teach the 5th and 6th graders at SSI and they are wonderful, but there's something extra special about working with high school students. Their passion and dedication to the activities they are involved in is impressive and it allows us to do some really cool things like difficult music and have honest discussions about our growth as a team.

What are some of your favorite music memories?

My favorite music memories are the little things—the moments in rehearsal where your friend makes a funny comment that you reference for the rest of the year, heading home on the bus after a long day at a competition and laughing deliriously about nothing, and getting to talk to people you normally wouldn't get the chance to talk to because you only get to see them during choir. Those are the best moments!

How do you keep the team motivated after long rehearsals and comp days?

They are usually great at staying motivated themselves. What I appreciate about this team is they are constantly working to improve. I try to make rehearsal as fun as I can while still achieving the balance of fun to work, as I think having fun is a huge motivator. Students aren't incentivized to work hard in an environment that is all serious and focused on work; you need moments to be human! You're much more likely to work hard for a team you enjoy being a part of!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Being a first year teacher, I honestly do not have a lot of free time; however, with the time I do have, I spend it with my friends and family watching reality tv, playing board games, or taking walks!

What IS the Synergy set this year? Why did you choose the songs that are featured in the set?

The Synergy set this year is Coming Home. I actually had nothing to do with the songs that were chosen since I wasn't hired for the full-time position until after the set was designed, but I absolutely love it! Coming Home tells the story of being eager to leave and chase your dreams; however, life doesn't always go according to plan. There will always be obstacles and set-backs, and a lesson that is important but often hard to learn is that we can always come back home to the people who will always be there for us.

Rapid Fire questions

Favorite musical artist: I love me some Adele.

Favorite musical: Phantom of the Opera

Can you play any instruments? I can play the piano - not very well! I also played the viola for 7 years in middle and high school.

Favorite song from the Synergy set this year: “Run To You” has a special place in my heart! And Synergy performs it gorgeously!

Favorite dance move: I love in the Mashup when the Sopranos and Altos have this really pretty lean with a pointed leg; it's hard to describe, but it's beautiful!

Favorite sport: Soccer

Best vocal section: I'm an alto through and through so I gotta say alto!

Who inspires you? My Mom, she is my biggest supporter and the most generous and thoughtful person I know, I have always aspired to be like her.

Precomp rituals: I'm not sure if these count as rituals but I make sure my bag is packed, alarms are set, and I go to bed reeeeeaaaallllyyyyy early!