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BS, Appalachian State University, Music Industry Studies
I am a young and easygoing instructor looking for beginner and intermediate students to teach and introduce to music. I am a recent graduate from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. I recently moved to Washington State with my partner for job opportunities in the state. Percussion is my primary instrument, but I learned how to teach other instruments in College. I'm excited to help new musicians take the first steps into playing and helping newer musician refine their foundation.
My main teaching experience comes from working with multiple marching bands during their summer training camps. I worked as a percussion instructor and I taught marching techniques, playing techniques, drills, and rehearsed parts within the section. While in college I maintained a few beginning private students where my primary focus was establishing fundamental playing technique. I love motivating students with music that they enjoy. When someone enjoys what they're playing, they tend to be more engaged and practice more. Helping students accomplish their goals and succeeding is my number one priority. Along with learning technical skills of playing and instrument, I love to include Music Theory into my lessons when applicable. Knowing the theory behind the music opens up new understanding and connection with the music you're playing and helps students to become even better musicians.
I make my own lesson materials using musical notation software and cater the lesson to the needs of the student. Every student is different and requires special attention. For example, a beginner percussionist would start off learning how to read and notate rhythms all the way up to 16th notes to start. I would then move into how to hold drum sticks and how to hit a drum. I would build upon these concepts to facilitate lessons to come and tailor the lesson to the individual. No matter who I'm teaching, I like to keep my students engaged with music that they want to play.
My teaching style is laid back and technical. I like to go at the pace of the student and really make sure technique is perfect. With good technique you set yourself up for success and develop good habits from the start. I can't tell you how many times I've seen students, even in college, dramatically improve their sound with just a simple posture change. Once technique is handled, the doors to all genres of music are open. I like to work students music "chops" with short exercises to promote muscle memory during lessons, but provide more musical excerpts for students to take home and practice on their own. This give students something to develop on their own time outside of lessons.