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1990 - BS, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, Arts Administration w/ a minor in Radio Television
1986 - Awarded Half Tuition Scholarship to Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University
1986-1990 - Performed with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University
I'm an instructor with a passion for enhancing the natural musical talents in our youth and adults. I greatly enjoy working with students of all ages in the hopes that they come to share my love for music and the flute specifically. I graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Arts Administration. I've been blessed to play in many interesting venues, including Clowes Memorial Hall of Butler University throughout my college career. I was also an active member of the Butler University Marching Band and Pep Band. After graduating from Butler, I worked full-time in nonprofit organizations while teaching a handful of students on a part-time basis.
My teaching experience actually began in a limited capacity prior to starting college. I was fortunate to receive private flute instruction throughout high school, and as a result, I held roles as a section leader as a high school upperclassman. Upon my college graduation, I entered the workforce, all the while picking up flute students, primarily at a beginner level. I greatly enjoyed building a firm foundation with each student given their ability, so we had a solid starting point to build upon. Consistent practice is key to making progress with any instrument. I love to incorporate a variety of genres of music into my lessons in an effort to keep it interesting and motivational for the student.
Since I anticipate most of my students will be in the beginner level, I like to start with a strong understanding of major, then minor, scales. Most students I've had in the past abhor scales, but as we delve into more difficult music and exercises, it usually becomes clear to them just how important all the scales are to their increased understanding of the repertoire. I am a teacher that doesn't dwell on the mundane; I also like to introduce pieces and exercises that appeal across all different genres in an effort to teach a holistic approach to music and the reach that the flute/piccolo has. Specifically, I like to use the Hal Leonard Rubank Method for Flute and work through those books, as this is the way I learned. It's also important to incorporate solo pieces into their repertoire, as gaining experience with performance is a crucial element to overall musicianship. At the end of the day, I want to develop the most comprehensive skills I can so a future flautist can reach his/her utmost potential.
I am a person who loves to meet new people and I am very outgoing. I always want to put my student at ease when beginning studies with a new teacher. I want them to know what I expect and likewise, I want to know what they expect and what their goals are regarding private instruction. I'm very empathetic to the needs of my students, understanding each student progresses at a different rate. I am a believer in positive reinforcement first, and then sharing areas in need of improvement, but always leading with the positive. Finally, I'm a person who likes to have fun while teaching a student about the flute and/or music in general. Hopefully my enthusiasm will rub off in a positive way.