Nurturing Confidence and Voices

Finding Your Voice: How Country School Nurtures Confidence from PreSchool Through Eighth Grade

When Vicki Wepler, General & Choral Music Director at Country School, watches an unexpected student take center stage, she knows the magic is working. After 16 years of guiding voices from ages three through fourteen, she's learned that giving children space to be heard isn't just about volume—it's about creating a foundation for lifelong confidence.

"You don't need to be the star of the musical to have your voice matter," Wepler explains. This philosophy drives everything from her PreSchool music classes to Middle School productions. In her youngest classes, students learn what a solo means through simple echo singing exercises. She sings, they respond—first as a group, then individually when they're ready. Every child has the option to pass with a special signal (no judgment attached).

This low-stakes approach builds confidence gradually. By year's end, most students have shared their voice alone, discovering their capability in a supportive environment. These early experiences with individual expression create a blueprint for finding their voice in all areas of school life.

At Country School, "voice" extends far beyond the performing arts classroom. Students use their voices when problem-solving during team time, navigating lunch table dynamics, presenting group projects, and leading school meetings. Middle Schoolers stand before their peers and teachers, keeping meetings flowing and calling on faculty members to share announcements.

The Weekly Country School (WTCS) meeting exemplifies this philosophy. Two student hosts lead the entire Lower School gathering each week, microphones in hand. Faculty members serve only as support systems. By 5th Grade, every student has hosted at least once—not because they're forced to, but because watching peers succeed inspires confidence: "I can do that too."

Wepler's approach to the annual spring musical reveals what makes Country School distinctive. Walking into auditions, nervous students receive the best news possible: everyone's in the show. No one gets cut. While students might not land their dream role, everyone who wants stage time receives that opportunity.

"Built into making your voice matter is giving people the support and time they need to feel confident," Wepler notes. With the show scheduled for April, students have months of coaching and encouragement. This timeline transforms anxiety into readiness, turning unlikely performers into stage stars.

Teaching the full PreS-8 range gives Wepler unique perspective on child development. She's learned that vocal development doesn't follow a predetermined schedule. Some three-year-olds eagerly grab solos; some 8th Graders need gentle coaxing. The key is meeting each student where they are.

"If I think children in a certain grade level should have certain capability by a certain age, that's not necessarily possible," she reflects. Instead, she offers opportunities suited to every developmental stage—from classroom echo songs and open mic sessions, to soprano-alto-baritone arrangements and character work that lets students explore different aspects of expression.

Country School graduates students at fourteen knowing they're still growing, but equipped with essential tools for the journey ahead. Wepler celebrates the surprises most—the quiet student who commands the stage, the hesitant child who becomes a confident presenter.

"It’s always a treat when faculty and students are genuinely shocked by performers on our stage," she shares. That sweet surprise comes from consistent support, appropriate timing, and unwavering belief in every student's capability.

The message Wepler hopes every family takes away? Your child's voice doesn't need to be the loudest or most powerful. It just needs space to exist and people who believe in its value. At The Country School, that space is built into every day, every class, and every interaction—because voices matter at three, at fourteen, and everywhere in between.