Philosophy

Learning music is not easy, but it can be fun, and it can make you feel good.

In fact, it MUST.

Helping my students feel GOOD is my primary purpose.

I want my students to:

FEEL CONFIDENT. I want my students to feel they are successfully grasping new skills and know exactly what they need to do at home to reinforce what they did in lesson.

PLAY MUSIC THEY LIKE. At the beginning level, songs are engaging. Starting at the intermediate level, students begin to have more say in what pieces and genres of music they learn.

LEARN AT THEIR OWN SPEED. Each student is different. Some need more time and patience; some don’t need a lot of reinforcement of concepts; some need gentle nudging to push themselves to attempt a greater (but doable) challenge. I provide students individualized instruction, whether in a group or privately.

FEEL ACCOMPLISHED. I help my students set goals that are right for them and work hard to meet them. I help my students see all their successes building up and celebrate milestones.

GROW AS MUSICIANS AND PEOPLE. Learning music is not a single skill that only involves some hand-eye coordination. It also involves developing learning strategies, public performance & speaking skills, empathy, cultural awareness, and an openness to trying new things – all things that impact life far beyond the music studio.

EXPRESS THEMSELVES MUSICALLY. I want students to be able to find their own voice and bring their own creativity to the world, whether presenting uncommon music for performance, a unique interpretation of a standard piece, or an original work.

EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY. Through Group Classes, WiP Shares, End-of-Year Recitals, Summer Camp and other opportunities, I want my students to know they share goals and interests with other students in the studio. My students inspire and encourage one another and have fun together.

PURSUE EXCELLENCE, NOT PERFECTION. Having gone down this road myself, I know that perfectionism is a dangerous beast that can devour gifted and driven people. The emotional and mental well-being of my students is of paramount importance. I teach my students to be patient with themselves and with the learning process. We discuss the difference between working hard and becoming obsessed, about when it’s time to buckle down and when it’s time to take a break.