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BM, University of Florida, Music Education
2007-2009- Trombone Section Leader, University of Florida
I am a music teacher at heart and love teaching students and shedding new light on different parts of the world of music performance. I graduated from the University of Florida in 2010 with my Bachelor's degree in Music Education. From there, I taught music at Orlando Science Schools in Orlando, FL for 2 years. I then started teaching 6th-12th grade band at Trenton Middle/High School for 4 years. My students have participated in all state and various levels of Solo and Ensemble competitions. I know live in Atlanta near my family and continue playing and teaching in community ensembles.
Ever since high school, I have enjoyed teaching other students. In college, I would travel to nearby schools to tutor middle and high school instrumental students. My first job out of college was teaching at a charter school where I saw all the students in the school for 9 week periods. We established an after school band where private lessons were the main form of growth. In my next job, I taught students from beginning, in sixth grade, through their senior year of high school. About half my students would attend a solo and ensemble competition every year and we would have focused lesson times for all of them as they progressed towards their goal.
For beginners, I recommend Standards of Excellence and if the parent's budget allows, a subscription to Smart Music which can monitor and record daily practice and inform a student of minor errors so growth can happen between lessons. For intermediate or advanced students, I like to establish a well rounded warm-up routine for their practice and move into solo repertoire appropriate for their level. For adults, I like to cater towards their goals and desires. There are many books out there that provide music for all enjoyment levels.
I love seeing students realize their own progress. I always like to start with recording a first attempt and then recording it again once it has been mastered so they can see their progress. I focus on positive reinforcement teaching. It is very easy, especially for a new student, to get bogged down in not making progress fast enough so I like to make sure they see all the steps they're taking and also know where it will lead them. Different students also learn in different ways and I pride myself in being able to tailor a lesson format that works for each individual student.