"As a teacher, I want to enrich the lives of my students through performing, creating, and understanding music. For students, I aim to build their passion and appreciation of the arts by helping them build superb artistry and realize the magnificence that the world of music has to offer. I believe that all students are unique and have something special that they can bring to their music lessons.
I believe there are many elements that lead to meaningful learning and music-making. (1) I encourage my students to experiment with their craft. This involves critical thinking and problem solving to find different ways to be successful in their performances. (2) I believe the best learning comes from playing, literally the act of play. I aim to have my students build a deep understanding and desire for music by employing improvisation in their lessons as a musical sandbox. With improvisation, students have the chance to explore their instruments, creativity, and artistry. (3) Students should be able to make choices and let their curiosity direct their learning. Since there is always more than one way to do something, I seek to guide students in picking their own path. (4) I aim to help students develop their artistry by making deep connections to their music, sound, and experiences. (5) I always strive to set my students up for success, however I also encourage them to learn from their failures. I believe one of the most essential life skills is to know how to deal with failure and use it to propel themselves into success."
