Michael Groff is the new Lower School music teacher.

“We were pretty psyched to hire him,” said Head of Lower School Michael Simpson.

Groff says his love for music began in his childhood.

“It was something that came naturally to me and I was really, really lucky to have great music teachers as a kid,” Groff said.

Groff earned his bachelor’s degree in music education with a specialty in organ and voice from Susquehanna University in Pennsylvania. He earned his master’s degree in music from Baylor University.

This is Groff’s first time to teach music in a school. Prior to his arrival at Greenhill, he directed music at multiple churches, most recently at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church.

When Greenhill was looking to hire a new Lower School music teacher, one desired qualification was expertise in the Orff style of music instruction—Groff’s specialty. The Orff style combines music, movement, drama, and speech. H

Groff’s expertise in Orff instruction played a part in his hiring, Simpson said.

“He had a very strong interview with lots of ideas on what to do with the choir once we got back to normal that just blew us away,” Simpson said.

Groff says he decided to come to Greenhill because he really wanted to teach and wanted a change in his career. He says he is enjoying his colleagues and his students at Greenhill.

“Something I think that is really special about teaching here is that we learn through doing,” Groff said.

In his free time, Groff says he loves to cook, which he says is a way to express love for one’s family.

He also likes to hike and watch television shows such as “The Office” in his free time.

Groff’s favorite musical instrument is the organ, and he has a master’s degree in organ performance. His favorite musical artist is Chris Thile, an American mandolinist, singer, songwriter and composer.