RJ T
Instruments: Voice, Drums
Styles: Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Funk, Showtunes, Swing, Soul, Punk
RJ T
Instruments: Voice, Drums
Styles:
Classical, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, Musical Theater, Funk, Showtunes, Swing, Soul, Punk
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
BA, Catawba College, Music Education and Popular Music MBA, Southern New Hampshire & Berklee School of Music, Music Business (In progress)
2013 - Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities 2012 - The John Nelson Haden Scholarship in Music; Dr. Phillip E Burgess Choral Conducting Scholarship
I am a driven music professional who knows how to relate to diverse students, find the best way of receiving knowledge they know how, and teach them every tip and trick that I've learned along the way. In 2013, I graduated from Catawba College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and Popular Music. I am a classically trained Tenor who took voice lessons for three years from a world-renowned Opera singer. I was also able to lead to trips as Music Director and Tour Manager to crowds of 3500 to 7500+. Performing in front of people is the fastest way to learn the craft for students but it needs to start with a solid foundation of fundamentals and confidence.
Teaching began for me in high school when I helped lead our school's all male a cappella group. I did an arrangement here and there but mostly led warm-ups and conducted most of the performances. This carried over into my college career by conducting the various choirs across campus as well as receiving a conducting scholarship. As the snowball rolled, I was chosen for bigger events through the United Church of Christ. After my undergraduate was completed, I began working at a franchised music eduction school for a year and a half. I had 20 students ranging from keyboard, drums, vocals, and I also was a Show Director for the various shows put on each season. This experience was invaluable as I refined the way I should handle lessons one-on-one as well as how to manage a group. I try to instill the drive and discipline that any musician can benefit from. Setting a high bar of expectations will only lead to a high level of skill and results.
For a beginning student on voice or drums, fundamentals will be incorporated into their warm-ups each lesson and throughout the week. Each student has a reason for wanting to take lessons and incorporating that into the lessons will give the student more drive to practice. If a student discovers something while playing or doing warm-ups, we will continue down the road to see where the student's hands, voice, or brain want to take them. Being able to customize the methods I use are crucial to adhering to all students. For adults, it is the same thing. If someone comes in with experience from when they were younger, we will get back to that point, and exceed it.
My teaching style has a lot to do on the student's needs and wants for they own playing. Giving a student a concept and watching it unfold in front of you is what gives me the fuel to keep fueling the student. Independency during lessons helps the student learn what works for them instead of me pushing it at them. During their own practice, I won't be there to address every mistake. Watching and knowing that their own brain made the connections propels the student into deeper territories of their own learning. Addressing the accomplishments they do make each week helps the student see the progress that they have made week after week.
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