After going into retirement at the end of the 2011-2012 school year, Jan Davis, the former conductor of the Clayton Honors Orchestra and teacher of the Clayton Strings Program, came out of retirement after one year in order to teach orchestra students again.

    “While retirement was fun, it was just not fulfilling,” Davis said, “I knew I just wasn’t ready to give up on the thought that I could continue to make a positive impact on a few more lives.”

Sophomore Audrey Kastner, former member of the Clayton Honors Orchestra, thinks that Davis’ decision was a well made one. “I think she was a very good conductor in that she motivated us to work harder and give our best performances.”

Davis will continue to teach elementary orchestra students along with Monica Holy, who is also new to the district this year. She will also continue the Honors Orchestra as well as try something a little different this year.

“The Honors Orchestra is now called the ViBravo String Ensemble,” Davis said. “In addition new this year is the Clayton Chamber Ensemble for those with even a higher level of proficiency.”

Unfortunately, the students who are not in Honors Orchestra at the middle school level and the orchestra students playing at the high school level will not be able to benefit from her teaching.

“Due to the fact that I am now half time, I will only have time to work with the elementary string students and the after school advanced orchestras,” Davis said. “My schedule does not allow extra time to work with students during the school day at Wydown and CHS.”

However, she hopes to make time to see her old students while teaching her new ones.

Davis said, “I’m really looking forward to seeing my former students and meeting many new budding musicians!”