The Lehighton Boys and Girls Band Hall has a new director.

Alyssa Schoch of Lehighton took over the position on Jan. 1.Schoch said she's blessed to have taken over for former director Jacqueline DePue, who previously served in that capacity for nearly five years."I'm very honored to be here," Schoch said. "It's a big part of Lehighton's history."Schoch said the band hall has 29 students, 16 of whom are in the band. The other 13 receive lessons, she said.Lessons include teaching the students how to play their instruments, how to play their first note, and how to go over notes and rhythms."I do an evaluation of their music theory knowledge," she said. "We do provide them with musical instruments to the best of our ability."Schoch said she really likes trying new things."Not all students learn the same," she said. "I like to try different techniques; one technique that works for someone might not work for someone else."Above all else, Schoch said the best feeling is "watching them progress and learn, and seeing their love for music grow."Schoch said the band will perform in the Lehighton 150th Anniversary event at 7 p.m. June 30, to be followed by the Lehighton Band.She said she'd like to do more ensemble groups, and noted that the band has an ensemble concert at 7 p.m. Thursdayat the band hall.Schoch said she began piano lessons at the age of 8. She started playing the flute in middle school, and began taking lessons at the band hall."When I was little, I loved to sing in a church, and I started liking it more and more," she said.Schoch graduated from Lehighton Area High School in 2008, where she was part of the high school marching band, concert band and county band.Schoch then went on to study music education at Kutztown University, where she studied flute as her major instrument under the direction ofTimothy Running andSusanna Loewy. She also received vocal lessons under the instruction ofTrucilla Sabatino and took piano classes.Schoch graduated from Kutztown University with a B.S. in music education in 2012.