Teaching Philosophy
Music is a very powerful way for humankind to connect with one another. It is also a very mentally and physically stimulating activity. For this reason, I believe everyone can benefit from learning to play music and from working with a music teacher. Not only are my students learning to create something unique and beautiful, but they are utilizing many techniques simultaneously in order to express their music:
Due to my experience as a professional working clarinetist, I have a lot to offer as a teacher, but I know that my students have much to offer as well. I can learn from each of them just as they are learning from me. This makes me a better teacher for each student that comes after. I can laugh at my mistakes just as I try hard to fix them so they don’t happen again. I want all of my students to be able to laugh at their mistakes, but have the tools to fix them. Playing music should be a joyful and rewarding experience as well as the culmination of a lot of hard work. I hope that in the end, my students are able to achieve the same goals as I set for myself- to play well, to grow as a musician, to constantly improve, and to work hard so I can enjoy every minute of it.
Music is a very powerful way for humankind to connect with one another. It is also a very mentally and physically stimulating activity. For this reason, I believe everyone can benefit from learning to play music and from working with a music teacher. Not only are my students learning to create something unique and beautiful, but they are utilizing many techniques simultaneously in order to express their music:
- Musicians use their muscles in intricate ways much as an athlete does- with precision and control. This requires practice, repetition, perseverance, and a good teacher to guide their technique.
- Musicians use their brains to recognize patterns and instructions in the music. As they read it, and listen to it, they learn to respond to it. I provide my students with the tools they need to recognize these patterns quickly and efficiently.
- As we play, musicians are learning to cooperate with each other. We learn to give and to take from each other in order to perform as a unit. We are communicating with each other creatively and with our body language in a way that one must personally experience to understand.
Due to my experience as a professional working clarinetist, I have a lot to offer as a teacher, but I know that my students have much to offer as well. I can learn from each of them just as they are learning from me. This makes me a better teacher for each student that comes after. I can laugh at my mistakes just as I try hard to fix them so they don’t happen again. I want all of my students to be able to laugh at their mistakes, but have the tools to fix them. Playing music should be a joyful and rewarding experience as well as the culmination of a lot of hard work. I hope that in the end, my students are able to achieve the same goals as I set for myself- to play well, to grow as a musician, to constantly improve, and to work hard so I can enjoy every minute of it.