Rittika G  
Instruments: Piano, Clarinet, Recorder, Bassoon, Keyboard
Styles: Classical, Pop, Marching Band

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began to my internship and student teaching at elementary and high schools around the valley. I like to include my students' opinion when planning their lesson curriculums. I don't believe in lesson plans that don't allow flexibility and providing the students with opportunities to pick repertoires they are interested in. I've also found that using technology and fun music games the iPad as well as performing along with students can go a long way in helping students to stay motivated and continue to learn. I'm always looking for new ways to interact and find various ways to increase student engagement.

For beginning students who are younger, I prefer starting them with beginner method books and ear training. Brain and physical development can proceed at very different rates. I believe in the constant testing of the student's readiness of various musical elements such as absolute pitch, rhythm, reading, finger control, note reading, attention span, interest in music, intelligence, etc. Finding each child's strength and weakness will be the key to determine the path of the repertoire they will be playing.

For adults, I try to find out what level they are in and discuss what repertoires they are interested in to keep the lessons engaging and fun. My students are required to take a weekly fundamental scales test. I believe that etudes and method books are very important in developing sightreading and musicianship, therefore, each student will work on scales, etudes, and repertoires in their lessons.