Aimee H
Instruments: Violin, Cello, Viola, Double Bass
Styles: Classical, Musical Theater
Aimee H
Instruments: Violin, Cello, Viola, Double Bass
Styles:
Classical, Musical Theater
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
Bachelor Degree: SUNY Fredonia, Master Degree: Capella University, Teaching Certificate: NYS Dept. of Education, Teaching Certificate: PA Dept. of Education
2022 SCMEA All County Guest Conductor
2012-2016: Dean's List/Academic Scholarship at Fredonia
2018-2020: Academic Scholarship at Capella
2016: Bard College Conducting Fellowship
Thanks to my Peruvian heritage, I had no shortage of exposure to music and musical expression growing up. From a young age, I danced and sang with family, watched as they made makeshift percussion instruments out of spoons, and pretended to be an expert at the pan flute like the musicians in the videos I watched. I love bringing the same connection and love for music to my students that my family and teachers brought to me. I began violin in 5th grade, and that started me down a path committed towards music teaching and learning. I had participated in every musical curricular and extracurricular offering- from Orchestra and Music Theory to Chamber Choir and Pit Orchestra. I attended the State University of New York at Fredonia, where I began a rigorous but rewarding course of study and continued to perform on viola at a high level, as well as learn cello, bass, piano, and various other instruments. I received my Bachelor of Music in Music Education in December 2016, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and went on to teach Orchestra as a long-term substitute after graduation. I was also invited to be a Conducting Fellow at Bard College in both Summer 2015 and Summer 2016. After relocating to Erie, Pennsylvania, I became a Pre-K Lead Teacher and the Music Director at a preschool where I taught and coordinated music lessons for students ages 2-5. From there, I moved into elementary teaching and began private music instruction. In March 2020, I received a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education Studies. Currently, I have returned to my roots and am the Orchestra Director at Monticello High School. I enjoy teaching strings and music theory privately and performing with chamber groups and students on occasion.
My teaching experience extends back to when I was a student volunteer in high school. I loved to teach the younger students as a junior/senior, and helped out with the "morning music" elementary program. I also taught middle school students with special needs how to play the violin when I was a senior, and assisted with after school tutorials. It was so exciting to see young students become just as passionate about music as I was, and that's what really solidified my desire to become a music teacher. Once I graduated college, I began teaching private lessons locally and did virtually at times as well- strings, music theory, and keyboard. I started up and directed a kindermusic program for students ages 2-5 in Erie, PA at a daycare, which grew quickly and required me to be on my toes at all times to keep up with such young students- all about balancing fun and education! After, I continued teaching strings and music theory privately and currently teach as a high school orchestra director.
For beginners, I typically start with Suzuki and/or Strictly Strings, though for bass players I tend to move towards Vance/SS instead. Once the fundamentals are understood, then we begin to start more technical exercises and start to prepare solo repertoire. For students who are more experienced or older, I try to see what specifically they are interested in and incorporate that into our work. I emphasize how important proper posture and playing position is, as more advanced techniques would be hard to do without proper posture and could even cause pain later on. I also like to incorporate music theory in all of my music lessons, because I feel it's important for students to understand how the music comes together in order to better understand how to perform it.
I adjust my private instruction based on student interests- if a student is into composing or using programs like finale or garageband, we construct lesson content around these interests. There's always the inclusion of music theory, at all levels of experience, because I feel that it is necessary for students to understand how the music is created and why in order to become better performers and musicians. I never let a student let a bad day get in the way of having a productive lesson- I like to touch base on how they're doing, and if things aren't going so well, we will always be able to find something positive that's going on in the lesson. I believe in small successes, and taking things slowly, breaking them down, before we put it all together. I am always encouraging, and will set realistic goals for students so they feel that same sense of pride an accomplishment.
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