Misha Shayter
International Music Teacher
Personal Profile
My life in music has been a wonderful adventure - from singing in award-winning Latvian choirs and playing bass in London's punk clubs to now building music programs for students in Shanghai. I'm not just a teacher; I'm a fellow musician who loves helping students discover the joy of expressing themselves.
Whether I'm leading a school rock band, writing a graduation song, or designing a vibrant new classroom, my goal is the same: to create a space where every child feels empowered to unlock the music inside them and let their unique voice sing out. Let's create something amazing together.
Education
2025
University of Windsor
International Baccalaureate Educator Certificate
International Educator.
In this course, I engaged deeply with the five modules that form the core of the IB framework. I have gained a practical understanding of how to design units and lessons, with a focus on integrating ATL skills and other essential practices such as reflection and differentiation. This journey helped me to understand that my personal educational values and worldview are aligned with the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate.
2003-2007
Daugavpils University
Music and art faculty.
Music teacher. Bachelors’ degree.
Teaching License.
Here I learned not only how to teach students of all ages, but also how to conduct an orchestra and a choir. I played in the jazz dixieland band "Hot Express" and the rock group "Dabasu Durovys," organised large music events for up to 1,000 people, founded the project "Party at the Sun," and continued to participate in orchestras and choirs.
2007-2010
Daugavpils University
Managing of people and enterprises. Masters degree.
During my master's degree, I learned how to manage societies and enterprises. Since my childhood dream was to create my own school, I believed that a management degree would help me achieve it.
At this time, I was already employed as a primary music teacher while actively performing in various orchestras, choirs, and bands. Music has always been fundamental to my life.
1998-2003
Daugavpils Music Secondary School
Musician – Concertmaster. Double bass and bass guitar. Performed with a string orchestra, accordion orchestra, and symphonic orchestra. Proud member of the youth choir "Daugava," which is renowned worldwide.
The United Kingdom Period
2012-2024
My twelve years in the United Kingdom were a transformative period, profoundly shaping the educator and individual I am today. I began this chapter as a private music tutor and, over the years, progressed to teaching within the UK's esteemed system, including roles at prestigious institutions like Colchester High School for Girls and St. Benedict's Catholic College. My journey culminated in building a thriving music department from the ground up at Chelmsford Church of England Primary School, establishing myself as a well-renowned music teacher with Qualified Teacher Status.
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Beyond the classroom, I immersed myself in the UK's rich cultural tapestry, which deeply influenced my international identity. I didn't just teach music; I lived it alongside representatives of the world's cultures. I played Indian Ghazals with Bangladeshi musicians on BanglaTV, felt the powerful gospel rhythms in a Nigerian evangelical church, and performed at events for Eastern European communities. This, combined with absorbing a teaching culture that deeply respects every student's unique personality, was pivotal. I didn't just learn British traditions - I embraced a global mindset.
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In the UK, I truly understood that my own personality is far broader than any single nationality. I learned to thrive in and contribute to a beautifully diverse society, solidifying my identity as a global citizen who genuinely enjoys collaborating with any and all cultures.
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This period of growth naturally led to one of my most significant achievements: authoring four music theory books during the COVID-19 pandemic. Driven by the need to enhance my students' learning during lockdown, this project was a logical continuation of my dedication, providing them with accessible and engaging resources that are still available on my website today.
HD Shanghai: International Music Teac (2024 - Present)
My next step in my lifelong adventure was moving to Shanghai, China, to join HD Shanghai, a bilingual school where I can truly live the idea of educating global citizens. My main task is to teach Grade 5 music, but my passion for music drives me to create a learning environment that goes far beyond the classroom.
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I see my role not only as a music teacher who shares his musical knowledge, but I try to nurture well-rounded individuals. Through leading the primary school choir and the school rock band, I focus on building collaboration and communication between school departments, students and teachers. Our performances at school events and in international competitions - where we were proud to receive a 3rd-degree certificate - are not just about music. They are about helping students become confident, reflective learners who understand their place in a global context.
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Directing our school musicals, like Annie JR and Shrek Kids, is a perfect example of this. It’s a huge undertaking that teaches students self-management, resilience, and the power of working together towards a shared creative goal. This was a truly collaborative project with our Middle School, where my primary students worked alongside older peers under the guidance of both myself and the Middle School drama teacher. They don’t just perform - they go the entire way from audition to success, learning to navigate across age groups and artistic disciplines.
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I also love to compose and collaborate. Working with my Chinese colleagues to create the Grade 5 graduation song and now the school's 10-year anniversary song is a hands-on lesson in international-mindedness. This spirit of cross-cultural partnership is at the heart of everything I do, from co-organising events like "Dancing with the Stars" to our Arts Week chamber music concert.
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As a Grade 5 homeroom teacher, I get to support the students' holistic development, helping them grow as balanced and caring individuals. Moving to China felt like a natural step for me, and I'm using all my experience to create a music program where students can discover their own voice and learn to appreciate the voices of others.
My personality, my philosophy and my goals.
My identity extends far beyond the classroom. I am a collector of experiences: a traveller, a hiker, a musician, a gamer, and a father who loves to explore the world with my 8-year-old son. My life has been a series of adventures - from operating a sonar on a salvage ship in the Barents Sea to organising open-air music events. Having lived in Latvia, the UK, Sicily, the Czech Republic, and now China, I approach every new culture and person with genuine respect and a deep curiosity, a mindset greatly aided by my multilingual background in Russian, English, Italian, and Latvian. My colleagues often note that I come to work not just to teach, but to build a community and enjoy the journey together.
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This life philosophy is inextricably linked to my professional beliefs. I see education not as a separate compartment, but as an integrated part of a full and passionate life. My core aim is to blend my personal values with my professional practice, creating a learning environment where students feel that same sense of adventure and connection.
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In my classroom, this translates to nurturing students who are true inquirers and risk-takers, unafraid to explore sound and culture. We focus on international-mindedness not as a abstract concept, but as a lived practice, using music to understand our interconnected world.
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By sharing my own passions and diverse experiences, I strive to inspire a love for music that is both personal and universal. I believe this passion becomes a tool for resilience, empowering students to be communicators and caring individuals who can use their art to overcome challenges.
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Ultimately, my goal is to design lessons, units, and programs that do more than teach notes and rhythms. I want to help students develop a lifelong love for music that empowers them, deepens their understanding of the world, and fills everything they do with joy and purpose.
