If you have a dream that is of the arts It might feel like you’re confined to what surrounds you and you’re stuck doing the next best thing. But an alumna of Platte County High School created a path that truly shows that if you have a dream do not let it be confined to a box. You use the resources around you and the ones you make yourself.
Shelley Washington attended Platte County High School in 2007 and was a student of Dr. Bonsignore. She was very active in the band as she was a drum major, played baritone saxophone in the PCHS Jazz Ensemble, and ended up making the Missouri All-State Band on baritone saxophone.
Bonsignore knew from the start she had a draw towards music. “She was always a talented student, in all things, but obviously in music,” he said.
Washington graduated from Platte County in 2009 and continued her education at Truman State University. She received a Bachelor’s degree focusing on Saxophone, and a Master of Arts in Music Education. Not ready to be done, she decided to focus on music composition and attended NYU Steinhardt, where she received a Master of Theory and Composition.
Bonsignore was not shocked hearing about Shelley’s accomplishments upon graduating. “I am not surprised at all that Shelley pursued music, but her route to what she is doing now is amazing,” he said. “She was very confident in doing her own thing, so moving to New York and becoming a composer, while somewhat crazy for a Midwest kid, is very in line with who Shelley is.”
In 2022 Washington composed her full symphony titled ‘Both’. The Kansas City Symphony permitted her work and Dr. Bonsignore was one of the people in the audience.
“The fact that she composed a full symphony and that I got to be there and watch the Kansas City Symphony premier her work, was very gratifying as one of her teachers and band directors,” he said. “Life comes full circle when you build your students up to be successful by investing in them and building a relationship with them – and then getting to experience their success firsthand as I did at the Symphony.”
Shelley Washington taught for the New York Philharmonic’s Very Young Composers program and was acting Director for the Noel Pointer Foundation, located in Brooklyn, New York.
Washington’s path gives students who want to pursue art and feel like no doors open a light. She has created a name for herself with the help of her determination and love for music as well as the people supporting her. One still being Bonsignore who is ecstatic for Washington and future students who might follow her steps.
“We have great kids who are motivated to be highly successful, and I am so happy we are able to use Music as our vehicle to springboard our students into real-world success,” Bonsignore said.
Washington is currently pursuing a PhD at Princeton University.
