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Cornell College Senior Student Award 2019
SPHINX Performance Academy Quartet Award 2012
I'm a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. In 2019, I graduated from Cornell College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance and Kinesiology Exercise-Science. Performing in different states and islands has been one of the greater experiences of my life as a musician, and I've had the opportunity to play on the same stage as Chaka Khan, learning from instructors Itzhak Perlman and the Catalyst Quartet. I have had the opportunity to also compose a few selections of pieces in college and play them for my peers.
My teaching experience dates back to my when I began high school, as I began teaching private lessons part-time on the side about 8 years ago, at music camps, and have been consistently teaching students in their homes, my home, or over zoom. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points that I like to preach to my younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy the piano and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. I have also noticed that making lessons fun in terms of proper techniques ensures the student will not develop bad habits in the future. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to learn and listen to the music of their favorite songs, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. I'm always looking to bring on new students of all ages!
For beginning students who are children, I typically start with the Suzuki Method and playing by ear. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire on sheet music appropriate for their level of performance. It is important to stress the fundamentals of technique for my beginner students before just playing music. I like to incorporate music theory within their lessons, so not only are they able to hear a piece of music and can start playing but can also read sheet music that is put in front of them. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level.
Nothing is more rewarding than seeing one of my students develop a passion for music and want to continue to play the violin not just as a hobby! Therefore, it's important that each student progresses at his or her own pace. I encourage this by setting realistic goals for my students at each lesson and knowing the strength behind private lessons as opposed to group lessons only. The student is more likely to progress if they are consistently practicing and have private lessons with their teacher to develop technique and skill in a one-on-one learning environment. Acknowledging accomplishments helps fuel students' desire to progress, and makes students eager to learn more. By trying to find out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to their wants and needs.
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