Patrick D
Instruments: Piano, Flute, Recorder, Piccolo
Styles: Classical, Pop
Patrick D
Instruments: Piano, Flute, Recorder, Piccolo
Styles:
Classical, Pop
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 7-80
2016 - Soloist for best new music award National Flute Association
I have been an active private teacher and performer for 30 years. Even though I am based here in NY City, I have done concerts and taught lessons and master classes in twenty countries in the USA, Europe and Asia for concert series and festivals. Besides getting my Bachelors of Music from Ithaca College, I furthered my private studies here in NY and France. My background spans all aspects of the music business including commercial recording, theater orchestra, symphony orchestra section member, chamber music, artistic representative for leading flute companies and soloist for classical/pop concerts on cruise ships.
My approach to teaching anyone music is to present it as a unique language, one that anyone in the world can use to communicate with anyone. Therefore, my initial emphasis for each student is to help them master the flute in terms of technique and tone so that they can then concentrate on the style of music that they love. Lesson plans are very detailed and great emphasis is placed on problem solving and working out ways to improve while the student still juggles a busy schedule. I have taught a number of adult students as well, helping them improve and evolve as musicians in the little time they may have to devote to music.
Having taught many students over the years, my favorite books for young beginners are the Rubank series and Pares Scale book. These give a good foundation and progression and have easy to read fingering charts. Once a student gets going with these I introduce simple duet books so that, by playing with me, they develop a strong sense of tone and intonation. The first solo books I recommend are collections of solo's by famous composers, these give the student the chance to gravitate toward the style and composer they like best.
My greatest accomplishment in teaching over the years has been to help students enjoy the music that they really want to play. This takes a great deal of devotion and research into finding the resources that students need to find the music they love best. I am a firm believer in a positive approach to teaching, concentrating not on mindless rote repetition, but on the artistic method where students can learn to improve and always make the music more and more impressive. A great deal of emphasis is on a positive mind set and teaching style, every student has strong and weak points, but, instead of spending a great deal of time criticizing the weak areas, I use what the student does best to improve that which needs work.
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