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Bachelor Degree: Rowan University
1991 - Gloucester County Teacher of the Year
I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Glassboro State College (Rowan University) in Glassboro with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and Percussion. I have been playing for 46 years. I am also a music technologist and can instruct students in the use of Software such as Mixxx (DJ software), Audacity (music creation and editing). I taught Music in Deptford for 11 years, and computers (with emphasis on music) in Salem Conty NJ. I worked with student for 3 decades before retiring form public schools in 2017.
I have taught private lessons since before I graduated High School. I've playing in rock bands on drumset, pit orchestra on assorted percussion, marching bands in school and in community settings, and pretty much anything else you can name that has percussion in it. I've taught ages ranging from Kindergarten to 60+ year old retirees. I was musical director of elementary and middle school Show choruses. I was vocal coach for Deptford HS musical up until 1999. I also ran sounds for Deptford's plays
As percussion does not consist of one instrument but of hundreds, methodology changes depending on which we are discussing. for anything requiring drum sticks (snare drum, bass drum, timbales, drumset), the fundamentals and rudiments come first. After all, you don't put someone on a motorcycle if they cannot first ride a tricycle. Rudiments are every bit as important on Drumset as they are just playing snare. They give you the skills to move fluidly around the drumset. Every other instrument has it own special skillset as well. I went to college and found out I did not even know how to play the triangle correctly. :)
My teaching style is fully interactive. As a teacher of both music and computers, I was never a dictatorial teacher. Other teachers, even young ones, that everyone was up and around. Talking to each other. Some listening to music. Whatever style fits the learner. You cannot "cheat" in music performance. Either you can do it or you cannot. Everyone does not learn the same way, so everyone should not be taught the same way. I will begin by assessing the student's teaching style, and act accordingly. Anyone who tells you there is ONE way teach is not listening to their student's needs.