Teaching Philosophy
I believe that each person possesses a talent or skill that is waiting to be discovered, built upon, and developed. As a music educator, I wish to be a person that inspires my students to find his or her talent and help them reach their full potential as scholars, musicians, and people. Important factors in guiding my students to uncover and nurture their talents include: an educational environment that promotes self-discipline, self-accountability, and self-awareness; an educational environment that encourages an attitude to be receptive and respectful of others’ ideas, feelings, and artistic contributions; and a well-rounded, knowledgeable instructor, able to lead the students in the direction of success.
Music encourages students to have self-discipline, self-accountability, and self-awareness. In order for students to achieve success and mastery outside of the classroom or studio setting, a student must have the tools to evaluate his/her technique, musicality, and artistry independently. This takes a combination of self-discipline, accountability, and awareness. The teacher through demonstration and explanation of proper independent practice habits can teach each of these characteristics to his/her students. Teachers can also instill these core-characteristics of a well-trained musician by discussing ways in which the student may prepare for rehearsals in settings beyond the classroom or studio, including how to mark his/her score to aid in their learning process or common rehearsal etiquette that will help to ensure a smooth rehearsal period for all. The learning environment should be one that is organized so as to facilitate the students in becoming independent, self-sufficient learners, but decorative in a way that reminds students of the joy found in music making. When a classroom or studio is organized and cheerful, students are able to focus on learning and engaging in the creative activity that is music.
The music classroom or studio is an environment that should naturally call for students to explore their emotional being and express these emotions through a creative outlet. Therefore, it is important that I as the instructor provide an atmosphere that is receptive and respectful of all students’ ideas, feelings, and artistic contributions to the music being learned. This fosters an environment for students to explore their artistic and self-expressive nature and provide support for one another as creative learning occurs. Students should feel able to approach their teacher with ideas, suggestions and comments that they think would enhance their musical learning experience.
Finally, in order for students to reach their highest potential of success, their instructor should be well-rounded and well-versed in his or her profession, as well as areas surrounding said profession. I have chosen to continue my education and obtain a Master of Arts degree in music to not only better myself as a musician, but to also expand upon my skill set as a music educator. I make it top priority to stay informed on current issues within the education realm, so as to better equip my students with the tools they need for successful learning. Memberships in organizations such as the National Association for the Teachers of Singing (NATS) and National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) provide avenues to explore what other successful music educators are doing with their students in their classrooms and studios to develop strong musicians. These organizations also provide a platform to relay ideas, problems, and solutions with other music teachers that can benefit the overall learning experience of my students. Attending workshops, performances, and master classes are also ways to continue to find new and inventive ways of educating students, as well as providing myself a chance to continue to learn and develop as an active performer. I believe it is also important to become involved in community activities, such as community theatre, community music ensembles, and organizations that promote and support the arts within a persons community in order to better refine my skills and develop a support network of like-minded individuals. I make it a point to encourage my students to take part in similar activities with the intent that they will use this outlet as a way to apply the skills being learned in the classroom or studio and as a way of creating a sense of independent, life-long learning.
As a music educator I strive to put my students’ learning and overall educational experience at the forefront of my approach to teaching. It is my hope that each student comes away from their musical experience with me with a newfound appreciation and understanding of the art and a better perspective of how he/she can contribute to the art as a musician and creative thinker. A person has the ability to be a student of music for the rest of his life, if he allows himself the opportunity.
Music encourages students to have self-discipline, self-accountability, and self-awareness. In order for students to achieve success and mastery outside of the classroom or studio setting, a student must have the tools to evaluate his/her technique, musicality, and artistry independently. This takes a combination of self-discipline, accountability, and awareness. The teacher through demonstration and explanation of proper independent practice habits can teach each of these characteristics to his/her students. Teachers can also instill these core-characteristics of a well-trained musician by discussing ways in which the student may prepare for rehearsals in settings beyond the classroom or studio, including how to mark his/her score to aid in their learning process or common rehearsal etiquette that will help to ensure a smooth rehearsal period for all. The learning environment should be one that is organized so as to facilitate the students in becoming independent, self-sufficient learners, but decorative in a way that reminds students of the joy found in music making. When a classroom or studio is organized and cheerful, students are able to focus on learning and engaging in the creative activity that is music.
The music classroom or studio is an environment that should naturally call for students to explore their emotional being and express these emotions through a creative outlet. Therefore, it is important that I as the instructor provide an atmosphere that is receptive and respectful of all students’ ideas, feelings, and artistic contributions to the music being learned. This fosters an environment for students to explore their artistic and self-expressive nature and provide support for one another as creative learning occurs. Students should feel able to approach their teacher with ideas, suggestions and comments that they think would enhance their musical learning experience.
Finally, in order for students to reach their highest potential of success, their instructor should be well-rounded and well-versed in his or her profession, as well as areas surrounding said profession. I have chosen to continue my education and obtain a Master of Arts degree in music to not only better myself as a musician, but to also expand upon my skill set as a music educator. I make it top priority to stay informed on current issues within the education realm, so as to better equip my students with the tools they need for successful learning. Memberships in organizations such as the National Association for the Teachers of Singing (NATS) and National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) provide avenues to explore what other successful music educators are doing with their students in their classrooms and studios to develop strong musicians. These organizations also provide a platform to relay ideas, problems, and solutions with other music teachers that can benefit the overall learning experience of my students. Attending workshops, performances, and master classes are also ways to continue to find new and inventive ways of educating students, as well as providing myself a chance to continue to learn and develop as an active performer. I believe it is also important to become involved in community activities, such as community theatre, community music ensembles, and organizations that promote and support the arts within a persons community in order to better refine my skills and develop a support network of like-minded individuals. I make it a point to encourage my students to take part in similar activities with the intent that they will use this outlet as a way to apply the skills being learned in the classroom or studio and as a way of creating a sense of independent, life-long learning.
As a music educator I strive to put my students’ learning and overall educational experience at the forefront of my approach to teaching. It is my hope that each student comes away from their musical experience with me with a newfound appreciation and understanding of the art and a better perspective of how he/she can contribute to the art as a musician and creative thinker. A person has the ability to be a student of music for the rest of his life, if he allows himself the opportunity.