Teaching Philosophy
My principle teaching objective is to help students acquire the skills they will need to enjoy a lifetime of musicianship. I believe that learning is an ongoing process that never stops, and students who receive a well-rounded musical education will be able to grow and enjoy the art of music making throughout their lives. I strive to create a positive teaching environment in my studio, where students feel welcome and look forward to their lessons each week. I help my students develop the skills needed to become competent, capable musicians by having them study a comprehensive musical curriculum that fosters an appreciation for all different kinds of music, helps them develop their technical skills, critical listening ability, and ensemble skills, cultivates healthy playing technique, and encourages expressive performance skills.
Music plays a very important role in the human life: it expresses what words cannot. Music reaches every person on a level often more personal than any other form of communication. It is a vehicle for self-expression; it can be a way to pass the time, entertain friends, or offer personal fulfillment. It is a joy and an honor for me to share this wonderful gift with others. I look forward to departing on musical adventures with each and every unique student!
My principle teaching objective is to help students acquire the skills they will need to enjoy a lifetime of musicianship. I believe that learning is an ongoing process that never stops, and students who receive a well-rounded musical education will be able to grow and enjoy the art of music making throughout their lives. I strive to create a positive teaching environment in my studio, where students feel welcome and look forward to their lessons each week. I help my students develop the skills needed to become competent, capable musicians by having them study a comprehensive musical curriculum that fosters an appreciation for all different kinds of music, helps them develop their technical skills, critical listening ability, and ensemble skills, cultivates healthy playing technique, and encourages expressive performance skills.
- Comprehensive Music Curriculum: Students will study a well-rounded curriculum that will include repertoire spanning all style periods, etudes, theory, technique, sight reading, transposition, composition, and music history.
- Appreciation of Musical Styles: My students will get to experience music from the baroque, classical, romantic, twentieth-century, and twenty-first century eras, as well as jazz, folk, and contemporary styles. This exposure to a variety of sounds helps students to broaden their musical tastes and expands their appreciation for different kinds of music.
- Technical Skills: Students build their technical skills at the piano with sight reading, transposition, scales, arpeggios, musical analysis, aural skills exercises, theory classes, theory and activities books, and other activities.
- Critical Listening: Listening is one of the most important parts of playing musically, and every student is encouraged to play with musicality at all levels of ability. Video recordings help my students to observe and listen to their own playing, and listening, comparing and contrasting performances of others’ helps to develop the musical ear.
- Ensemble: Being able to perform with others is something that pianists sometimes miss out on; but in my studio, playing with others starts early on with student-teacher duets, duet recitals, and playing along with recordings. As each student progresses in their ability, I strive to offer other collaborative experiences with instrumentalists through accompaniment or ensembles such as piano trios and quartets.
- Healthy Technique: Developing a healthy technique is a cornerstone of the development of a sound, capable musician. Technique is incorporated from the very first lesson, and is essential for expressive performance, musicality, and technical facility, and ultimately will help the student enjoy playing the piano for a lifetime.
- Expressive Performance Skills: I cultivate an understanding of expressive performance skills from an early age; it is never too early to learn to play with expression. Each student is encouraged to play musically, whether they are an elementary or advanced student. I approach each student’s music in a variety of creative ways to produce musical and stylistically accurate interpretations.
- Assessment: Each and every student should be encouraged to play to the best of their ability. All students participate in studio recitals to share their achievements with family and friends. Students are also invited to demonstrate their achievements and progress in festivals and studio classes.
Music plays a very important role in the human life: it expresses what words cannot. Music reaches every person on a level often more personal than any other form of communication. It is a vehicle for self-expression; it can be a way to pass the time, entertain friends, or offer personal fulfillment. It is a joy and an honor for me to share this wonderful gift with others. I look forward to departing on musical adventures with each and every unique student!
