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Bachelor of Arts- Music Industry, Missouri Southern State University; Associate of Arts, Ozark Technical Community College
I am a working musician, traveling singer-songwriter, and long-time educator. While at school I focused my education on music and the music industry and building my career as a singer-songwriter. As much as I love to create and share my own music I'm also passionate about teaching others to do the same. I've taught lessons throughout college covering a range of instruments and ages. I believe music is something that is best enjoyed with others and that great art is made when we share our knowledge, ideas, and passion.
I picked up teaching during my second year of college with some help from my mother- a long-time piano teacher. During that time I taught several different students ranging from age 6 to adult on various instruments including piano, guitar, and drums. I've experienced the different learning styles and barriers that come with teaching kids, teens, and adults. Additionally, I have experience teaching outside of the music realm having worked as an outdoor educator, camp counselor, and substitute teacher as well as various tutoring sessions throughout my school career.
In my career as a teacher as well as in my personal life I have found that it is impossible to teach all people the same and expect the same results. Thus, my methods are highly tailored to the student's unique needs and desires. Additionally, I've found that certain teaching methods work better with certain instruments. One of the first questions I ever as of a student is what their goals are for these lessons so I might better adjust my lessons to suit. As an educator my number one priority is understanding my students and finding the method that will help them succeed.
Having taken lessons on several instruments and being self-taught on others I understand that the most important thing a teacher can instill in their student is 1) the basic knowledge to understand the instrument, and 2) the passion to discover and teach themselves. After all, discovery is a far more effective teacher than instruction. I believe it is my job to guide a student onto the right track with a basic knowledge-base, and teach them to love music. With the right amount of passion and knowledge, one day the student won't need me anymore. And that's a good thing.