I believe that any student can learn to play with the right teacher. Students of all ages and learning styles can accomplish their goals and learn to play music they love with the right steps and guidance. I also believe that music education can include more than just the traditional classical repertoire. Although it is a great, and most of the time essential, tool in learning, students should learn to play music that brings them joy.

In my teaching, I try to incorporate styles and pieces that students enjoy in addition to standard repertoire, études, and technique books. So much can be learned from traditional methods of teaching, but exploring other genres and styles also builds and expands musical education. I believe both are important in creating a well-rounded musician. I encourage each student to explore the genres and styles of music that excites them.

I also believe that students need different types of performance opportunities that match their skill level and goals. I encourage students to participate in orchestras, chamber ensembles, and solo recitals to gain experience performing and to achieve the feeling of accomplishment that accompanies a successful performance. Solo performances boost personal growth and create opportunities for personal achievement as well as showcases student’s musical growth throughout the school year. Chamber and orchestra performances help students learn to play with other musicians, build problem solving, ear training, and leadership skills.

I strive to create a lesson environment where the student feels comfortable experimenting with musical ideas and where a student feels free to ask questions. Students learn better in positive and nurturing environments, and I strive to create an atmosphere that welcomes these attributes. Mistakes are learning opportunities not based in self-worth. I teach students to use mistakes and questions as tools for learning and self-improvement. In lessons, I will teach students how to practice and to tackle hard things, with the goal of teaching them to learn on their own.

I believe that students who are encouraged to learn and are actively guided to achieve goals will stay engaged in lessons and experience the benefits of playing a musical instrument, including learning new skills and developing discipline and focus. How these goals look and the intensity and method of reaching them will shift with each student, based on the individual reasons each student has for studying music, but encouraging the love of music and the joy of learning is my goal for every student. My hope is that as students progress, they will develop a deep love for music as I have in my own musical journey.