Madalyn Kao

Handwork & Strings Teacher

Madalyn Kao is a lifelong learner with a vast range of interests and hobbies. It is the excitement of learning that drew Madalyn to education as a profession. While attending the University of Nevada, Reno Madalyn became fascinated by the process through which the brain learns music, and changed her major from Painting to Music Education. For five years, Madalyn taught middle school orchestra in Washoe County School District. After having her son Madalyn left the classroom, but continued to be involved in music education. As the State Executive for the Nevada Music Educators Association, Madalyn helped advocate for arts education at the national level and organized support for music educators throughout Nevada. She also became an RPAK teacher for the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, providing free violin lessons to students at Title-I schools. Stepping away from these two positions, Madalyn is looking forward to expanding her skills and exploring Waldorf education as she has always had an interest in alternative educational styles.

Madalyn is an active musician in the Reno area and an amateur artist. She plays in Reno Taiko Tsuru no Kai – a traditional Japanese drumming group – as well as cello and piano, sometimes putting on performances for the community with her spouse. Madalyn enjoys drawing, reading, swimming, tennis, and above all else being a mom. Her interests range from the sciences, history, and learning about her family’s Japanese heritage.7