My Teaching Philosophy
As a music teacher, I am committed to enriching the lives of all individuals with music and doing away with privilege and discrimination in the arts, whether due to prejudices concerning age, race, national origin, citizenship status, disability, religion, gender, or LGBTQ+. To this end, I encourage students to play from the heart. I hope that by encouraging just one person to practice being free and to trust their own authority, I can foster the formation of spaces in which a community of creative thinkers and musicians can flourish and spread joy. While I believe it is vital to hold students to high standards of musicianship, inspiring them to find ways to keep it fun is key.
Helping students select their music wisely is also important. And yes, finding music that centers around the student’s interests may help. But I believe introducing students to pieces that will expand their ear and music appreciation is part of my job. For instance, not only introducing students to Mozart’s concertos, but listening to music from diverse cultures will enhance their musicality. For example, if a student is learning about ancient Asian cultures in history class, I might introduce them to the sounds of Chinese Guzheng music. Music has the power to strengthen social bonds. Music has the potential to connect us all to our humanity and global history. Knowing a teacher took the time to explain why playing scales is vital to learning music helps that child feel their knowledge matters. And that trust and respect between a child and a teacher will pay off for generations to come in how that child shows up later on as an artist, a teacher, a parent, and a citizen of the world.
Whether a student has rare, raw talent or must work hard to make music, I look for that spark in the emotional expressions of my students when they are playing. I believe there’s room for all of us. I believe music comes alive not only in the joy or perfection of a performance, but in working with what we have, in practicing to be free. It is here where the musician gets to choose to begin from the heart.
Whether teaching private students in person or online, serving as a horn teaching assistant at Interlochen Arts Camp, co-teaching a technique and repertoire class for young brass students, or offering a workshop to local students in a community where I’m performing, I aim to make music open to all.
Ask me how to make auditions more fun!
Helping students select their music wisely is also important. And yes, finding music that centers around the student’s interests may help. But I believe introducing students to pieces that will expand their ear and music appreciation is part of my job. For instance, not only introducing students to Mozart’s concertos, but listening to music from diverse cultures will enhance their musicality. For example, if a student is learning about ancient Asian cultures in history class, I might introduce them to the sounds of Chinese Guzheng music. Music has the power to strengthen social bonds. Music has the potential to connect us all to our humanity and global history. Knowing a teacher took the time to explain why playing scales is vital to learning music helps that child feel their knowledge matters. And that trust and respect between a child and a teacher will pay off for generations to come in how that child shows up later on as an artist, a teacher, a parent, and a citizen of the world.
Whether a student has rare, raw talent or must work hard to make music, I look for that spark in the emotional expressions of my students when they are playing. I believe there’s room for all of us. I believe music comes alive not only in the joy or perfection of a performance, but in working with what we have, in practicing to be free. It is here where the musician gets to choose to begin from the heart.
Whether teaching private students in person or online, serving as a horn teaching assistant at Interlochen Arts Camp, co-teaching a technique and repertoire class for young brass students, or offering a workshop to local students in a community where I’m performing, I aim to make music open to all.
Ask me how to make auditions more fun!