Sympatico Personnel
Cindy Joy Gossman (ASO Sympatico Program Director/Cantamos) was born and raised in Virginia and has been singing and performing in various public settings since her early childhood. An alumnus of the music program at Northern Virginia Community College, Cindy has led a distinguished local career as a music educator, children’s choir director, choral singer, soloist, and folk/rock musician. Cindy’s joy for music is contagious and over the years her holistic approach to music education has inspired a life-long love of music in countless children and their families. Some of her fondest memories of public school include her time in band, chorus, and in school musical productions, where she honed and developed her skills and passion for performing on stage. She is delighted to see this growing passion in the young musicians of Sympatico and to foster them in their journey to become skilled musicians and better humans.
Patrick Horner (Percussion Experience) is currently in his fourth year of teaching elementary band in Alexandria City Public Schools. Patrick was born and raised in Alexandria, VA and feels grateful to be able to teach in the school system that helped him pursue his passion. He began playing percussion in 4th grade and continues to play in different capacities to this day. Patrick earned his Bachelor’s of Music Education from George Mason University and participated in many different ensembles while there. Patrick looks forward to sharing his passion for music with every student that enters his classroom.
Born and raised in Huntington, West Virginia, Gregory House (Basic Beats and Beyond) is entering his tenth year of teaching (third in ACPS) and has been performing in numerous public settings since 2007. Greg has had the opportunity to help write and record multiple albums with two bands he helped cofound, and he also had the opportunity to tour a minor section of the East Coast with them. He is a drummer at heart but can hold the rhythm section down on a bass or acoustic guitar quite well, too. Greg loves writing and recording fun and energetic songs for students to practice basic math facts while they move their bodies along with the music. You can find him playing one of the instruments listed above at the church his family attends in Washington, D.C. He is looking forward to bringing energy and creativity to our youngest musicians and to learning and progressing as a musician right alongside them.
Rebecca Walker (Fiddle Factory/Site Coordinator) is beginning her second year of full-time teaching experience. Prior to her teaching career, Rebecca completed a Master of Music at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began playing the viola in the 5th grade which sparked her passion for music performance and education. In addition to her work with Sympatico, Rebecca teaches 4th and 5th grade strings, as well as Pre-K general music at John Adams Elementary.