TEACHING STATEMENT

My teaching philosophy is predicated on the belief that music is a substantial topic, with many elements, that should have a positive impact on every individual who interacts with it. Individuals interacting with music can be listeners, performers, composers or any combination of the three at any given moment. It is important to guide students through each element as well as encourage them to explore the ways they interact with music to have diverse musical experiences and find who they are within music.

I believe that multiple elements of music overlap with regular aspects of life such as discipline, self expression, and adaptability to unfamiliar situations. Engaging with music can teach students to recognize when and how to utilize discipline through individual practice, active listening, and passive listening. 

Music allows us to have emotional experiences, which I believe are important for us to unpack so we can better understand ourselves and how we feel music. Learning how we feel music can lead us to self-expression and a deeper level of self understanding. Self expression, alongside discipline, can aid one’s adaptability to unfamiliar situations. 

I value curricular structure and the needs of my students, as both are integral to educational success. Successfully imparting knowledge includes meeting the needs of students by connecting to them on a personal level and finding how they learn, which can include demonstrating ideas and concepts in different ways.

I desire to learn from my students as much as I teach, aiming to foster a diverse understanding and passion for music. I view education to be a lifelong, cyclical process for both students and educators alike.