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Alli HickmannBrookfield Central Class of 2004

Alli Hickmann is the choir director at Brookfield Central, the same school where she developed her love for music years before.

Alli attended Brookfield Elementary and Wisconsin Hills before going to Brookfield Central. While in high school, she was involved in Choir, Band, Lancerettes, National Honor Society, Student Council, and served as Class Council Treasurer. "As I reflect on my time at Brookfield Central, I appreciate the amazing opportunities that I was afforded, and the work ethic, creativity, and love of learning that my teachers instilled in me." Her band director Jason Gillette's powerful ability to connect with and get to know his students fundamentally impacted her way of teaching today. "It is so cool to now see his work from a colleague perspective and strive to achieve the same level of connection in my own classroom." Her Lancerette coach, Kristin Warner, was another positive, caring, and encouraging role model for Alli. "My teaching style, and focus on classroom rapport and relationship-building mirrors a lot of what she showed me through her coaching.

Hickmann graduated from Brookfield Central in 2004, and continued her education at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. While attending UW, Alli sang in the Concert Choir & Chorale, served as Music Director of UW-Madison's Women's A Cappella group Tangled up in Blue, was President of the student choreography and performance group Optima Dance, and was a member of Madison's Jazzworks Dance Company. She graduated in 2008 with a degree in Choral and General Music Education and a minor in Dance.

In 2009, Alli began teaching elementary general music in the Madison Metropolitan School District. She then moved to the Milwaukee area and taught elementary general music in Waukesha for 5 years. "When the Choir Director position at Brookfield Central became available, I knew I had to go for it," she said.

She started teaching choir at Brookfield Central in 2015. "I love my students and am continually impressed and amazed by their talent, kindness, and acceptance of one another," said Hickmann. "Together, they become a community of all different types of kids who create something beautiful and it's awesome to be a part of that." Alli has also acted as the student council co-advisor for the past few years, and she loves being a part of the BC school community.

Today, she lives in Brookfield with her husband and their two-year old, Addie. She completed her Masters in Educational Technology from Marian University in 2017. "It's surreal to be teaching in the same room that I sang in 15 years ago. I am constantly reminded of the impact my teachers and education had on me," she stated. "I take the responsibility of sustaining and growing my program very seriously and want BC choir to be a place where kids sing great music, work with others, develop their techniques, form relationships, and feel a sense of belonging. Music is a powerful thing and I am proud to be able to share its power with new generations of kids in my community."


Throughout this Fall, the district will be featuring alumni stories of staff who have given back to the district with their service and commitment.


Join the new Elmbrook Alumni Network to engage with fellow alums at alumni.elmbrookschools.org!For more alumni stories and district updates, follow Elmbrook Schools on LinkedIn. To recommend an alum for our series, please click here.