My name is Natalie Haskell Brooks
I was born in Merrimac, Massachusetts and have lived in Alaska since 1960
I began Piano at Age four and have a Bachelor of Music, School of Fine Arts, Music Education -Boston University 1957. I taught School in Bucksport, Maine 1957-1960 and taught Music at Chugiak and Eagle River Elementary schools 1960-1964. I have taught Piano for 40 Years and have accompanied soloists for weddings, funerals, pageants. I taught many years as a Volunteer Music Teacher in Chugiak and Birchwood Schools after the District eliminated the Elementary Music Teachers in 1964.
I was Music Director (Pianist, Organist, Choir Director) at Chugiak United Methodist Church 1960-1990. Served 8 years as Social Concerns Chair ( Racial Justice, Candidate education forums, prison ministry, etc.) for the Alaska Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church.
I served as a National Commissioner on the General Commission on Race and Religion of the United Methodist Church . 1984-1988 and am currently a member of the Racial Justice committee for the United Methodist Women. And a member of the board of Church Women United.
I twice received the 'Lay Person of the Year' from the Alaska Missionary of the UMC.
I was a founder and 1st Chair of the Board of Chugiak Children's Services (a national model program for early childhood development, enrichment and Head Start). A founder and 1stPresident of the Chugiak-Eagle River Historical Society.
Have been involved in Prison Ministry since 1975 and continue in a variety of forms ie. Teaching music, personal visits, transporting inmates children for visits with parents, phone calls & letters of support. Continued contact with ex-inmates. Directing annual Christmas programs.
1st Chair and current Chair of the Hiland Mountain Correctional - Community Citizen Advisory Committee ( formed 1975 by the commissioner of Corrections after a convicted murder, who was not supposed to be housed there, escaped).
Music, Racial Justice, Prison Ministry and my children and granddaughter are still my focus today.
My E-mail address is natalie@pobox.alaska.net
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Last Updated February 16, 1998 by Santa