Teaching

            My philosophy towards instruction is grounded in guiding students on their unique individual paths. I have two main macro-level goals for all of my students that influences how their instruction is structured. The first goal is to determine what role they want music to play in their lives long-term, deciding what skills that will require, and forming a plan of study that will increase their chances of success. The second goal is for them to develop the ability to teach themselves. I firmly believe the journey of being a musician to be a life-long process of learning and refining ones’ skills. Within the constructs of these two goals I temper my expectations with the knowledge that every student is coming to me from a unique set of circumstances. This knowledge necessitates flexibility of pedagogical approaches as each student can achieve mastery from a unique path.

 

            My teaching goals at the micro-level are similar for all students and firmly rooted in the fundamentals of instrumental control. I believe if one can play an instrument in tune, in time, and with a beautiful sound they can find success as a performing musician. The specific pedagogical resources used to achieve these goals is not always as important as the mindset with which one approaches fundamental study. Due to this philosophy I remain flexible as an educator and am able to meet my students with content that instills joy in music making while developing their fundamentals of instrumental control.

 

            One last element of my philosophy that underlines all of my goals as an educator is the importance of modeling everything to ones’ students. I achieve this goal in a number of ways at micro and macro levels. During individual and ensemble instruction I always have an instrument with me to model performance elements being discussed. I maintain an active performing career and practicing schedule. Consequently, I always have my own list of goals I am working towards as a life-long learner of music. I also attempt to diversify my skillset with any opportunity I am given. I have expanded my learning to include use of DAWs, video editing, notation, and essential office workflow software. I have been able to employ these skills working in the music industry beyond my foundation as a performer and educator.