teaching philosophy

I believe that music is for everybody. Music lessons should be enriching, and elevating, no matter a student’s age and experience. As a teacher it is my role to help students develop a healthy and joyful relationship with music. I believe teaching should be goal oriented. These goals include achieving music literacy, developing confidence, finding joy in music making, and adopting a growth mindset.

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The foundation of all my piano lessons is based in the fundamentals of musicianship. I place a strong emphasis on music theory, reading, rhythm, expression, character, and style. I guide each student to make sure their skillsets are well-rounded and are on track to achieve proficiency. I have students analyze every piece they play and develop their imagination by creating stories, imagery, lyrics, and context for every piece. Musical literacy also means that students can listen to a wide variety of styles and genres and have the proper vocabulary to discuss variables about each piece. I achieve this by regularly performing for my students, or playing recordings of other musical pieces followed by discussions about what they like and dislike about the music. I believe that through musical literacy, students will develop a life-long love of music.

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I believe that a healthy technique will help students enjoy practicing and feel comfortable playing. This includes correct posture, sitting position, bench placement, hand position, arm alignment, and weight distribution. I maintain clear technical standards from a student’s first lesson and prioritize student’s comfort in tandem with a beautiful tone at the instrument. Good technique allows students to express themselves how they wish, feel confident and powerful, feel euphoric while playing, and avoid tension and discomfort.

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I strive to teach my students confidence, and how to express themselves. I want all of my students to enjoy performing in front of others. Music is emotional and expressive and students need to develop confidence to transmit these emotions to their audiences. I lead by example, by performing often for my students and by always focusing on the communicative power of music. Playing duets with my students is a part of every lesson, and in doing we make artistic decisions together. I have students perform often and as early as possible to gain comfort and confidence. I encourage students to be expressive, to put their personality and emotion into the music and celebrate with them when they do. Developing confidence as performers can benefit students in many aspects of their life such as maintaining composure in high-stress situations and being comfortable in leadership roles.

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Music has been a consistent source of joy, comfort, and emotional outlet. It is my goal that all my students find joy in music making. While the journey to musical proficiency requires discipline, I also believe it requires fun and happiness. I make sure all of my students are enjoying the process and always playing some music that they enjoy. The sea of repertoire is so vast and I strive to find music that will motivate students. I make sure to choose repertoire that is not too difficult for students so that they don’t become discouraged and burnout.

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Learning a musical instrument is difficult! It requires immense coordination, learning music theory, being open to expressing oneself, discipline, and patience. I believe in the importance of fostering a growth mindset for all my students. I help my students understand the importance of hard work and perseverance by encouraging them to be consistent in their practice, and always celebrating their achievements and milestones. I encourage students to be kind and positive with themselves. This means avoiding fixed mindset thinking like “I can’t do this” or “this is too hard.” Instead, I provide students with alternatives to these thoughts like “I’m still learning” or “how can I learn this?” Through music lessons, students learn that they can indeed do hard things. My students develop problem solving skills, patience, and discipline through consistent practice and encouragement.

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The goal is that my students develop a life-long pursuit of music. While I don’t expect or wish that my students follow my path to become a professional musician, I do hope that music stays a part of their life forever. By focusing on fundamentals, healthy and consistent practice habits, and a growth mindset, I equip my students with the skills to one day become independent musicians. My hope is that students will be able to play any repertoire they wish and have the knowledge and skills to independently explore and engage with music throughout their entire life.