Understanding Through Music

My Teaching Philosophy

I offer an environment of comfort that provides students with a safe place to try new things and make mistakes they can learn from. My goal for students is to not only become a great musician, but also become a great person through what they learn while playing music. I see music as one of the premier ways of self expression. Music allows you to communicate feelings that words otherwise could not and gives a person the opportunity to make something unique to who they are. Music practice and performance also provides experiences and opportunities essential to success in the world on a daily basis. Learning music requires hard work and personal dedication to the betterment of yourself, and performing music teaches you how to work together with and listen to others around you.

 

As I teach the clarinet, the skills I focus on revolve around technique, self reflection, and listening. The mastery of fundamentals, and an understanding of how a person best learns and structures their life for personal growth will allow for them to easily work with others in the shared experience that is creating music. I believe that should a person focus on these aspects of musicianship, they will improve as an all around person as well.

 

A continuous learning and improvement of the fundamentals of the clarinet allows for you to break any limitations of style or difficulty with music. Whether the goal is to perform and audition, or to have music as a hobby, the skills learned reach far beyond just music. I will teach you the skills to perform in front of an audience, the ability to organize and plan your life in a way that fits you, and the knowledge and practice to look and listen to those around you and see what is needed for everyone to succeed.

 

Music has always been the constant in my life that has given me the most joy and helped pull me through my toughest times. When I was down, music lifted me up and when I was feeling good, there was always a song or piece of music to match that joy. I strive to bring this same feeling to others so that in the toughest times, people can still turn to music to lift them up also.