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MY PHILOSOPHY
As an educator, I believe in a well rounded approach to engaging students with music. Students can look forward to also gaining an understanding of composers’ lives, the form in their music, how to incorporate singing your notes into playing, how to speak and engage with others about their music in and out of a performance setting, and even how to use their creativity to write and/or improvise. The goal is to create musicianship and a love for music and its rich history in addition to proficient playing and technique!
It is my belief that lesson pace and structure should be tailored to each student, but universally encouraging and inclusive of honest and constructive feedback. Coming to answers and new realizations about practice and playing should be a careful balance between direct feedback from the teacher and giving students the opportunity to come to these answers themselves through self-awareness and analysis. It is important and beneficial to start to build intrinsic motivation in students from the start; this way they immediately begin to foster the ability to learn independently and create opinions about their artistry.
"IF YOU CAN TEACH A
CHILD TO LEARN BY
CURIOSITY, HE WILL
CONTINUE THE LEARNING
PROCESS AS
LONG AS HE LIVES"
-CLAY P. BEDFORD
THE FAMILY ROLE
It can not be understated that the beginning student will flourish best with a supportive family and environment both at home and in lessons. Students whose parents are involved and active in their child's education see the greatest benefit and continuation of success. Whether that means helping to create a practice routine at a certain time of day, getting them set up, or reviewing their in-lesson notes with them, there is always a way to get involved! This is crucial in the beginning years as students begin to understand what it means to practice!
LIFELONG LEARNERS
Deciding to enter in the amazing world of music and piano studies is a decision that with the right amount of care can transfer across all areas of you and your child's lives. From an early age, the addition of musical studies can benefit students in more ways than thought possible. In time, you can expect to see improved focus, memorization, creativity, and cognitive function levels across the board - no matter what the age.
Studying music instills in all of us the curiosity to slow down and truly listen - a skill frequently lost in today's fast paced society. It encourages resilience in growing minds, and builds confidence through redefining successful achievements outside of a traditional grading system.
My goal as a teacher is to not only teach students how to learn, read, and play their music, but to foster in them the skills necessary to become a lifelong learner.
PRACTICING
While many go on the notion that "practice makes perfect," I instead strongly put forth that "practice makes permanent." This means that from the start, I work with students to build a habit of efficient and smart consistent practicing.
Like any other skill, it is the frequency of which you do so, that brings about growth. This looks like small intervals of daily practice that increase as the students' age and abilities further develops.