Thomas Barton Post Preservation Award Metlar-Bodine House, Piscataway NJ 2018
Overview:
My music backround goes back to my pre-teen days with a toy guitar and singing in front of my second grade class. Formal training began in junior high with the saxophone which continued through high school and my college years at Fairleigh Dickinson University. I became interested in the guitar and played with many groups and ensambles. Then became interested in the violin and fell in love with it. I have been playing for the past fifteen years and teaching for five. I played in NYC with the Open Music Emsemble and the Classical Fusion Chamber ensemble and am currently with the Somerset Valley Orchestra in NJ. I am also a solo performer portraying the Colonial Fiddler at events in at the VanHorne House in Bridgewater, Metler-Bodine House in Piscataway and at the Thursday Night Lights events in Flemington.
EXPERIENCE
I have always enjoyed music and playing music and found it natural to play for my friends and family. And weather it was in school orchestra, garage band, or friends with guitars, I shared my knowledge with other players. The best part of teaching for me is when I introduce some new material and explain it and the light bulb goes off and the child gets that big eyed look, I see that the student understands it. And getting to know the person who I am working with is important so that I can choose music that is fun for them to play. I've led orchestra sectionals and have also done solo work. I am currently a member of Harper College's Back Porch Review performing traditional and folk music on violin, guitar, and banjo. Occasionally spoons and saw.
METHODS USED
The initial meeting with a student is where we start. Has there been any musical training. Is there the ability to read music. Interest in the instrument. It is a two way interview where we begin to know each other on terms that we will be dealing with if we choose to work together. Practice is most important in learning an instrument. And I play along with the students to help with their intonation. Taking turns playing measures helps with counting and playing duets is also make the lessons interesting.
LESSON STYLE
All people progress at different paces but if the subject is interesting and there is no pressure or judgement and pleanty of encouragement, then there will be progress and that is our objective. Music is all around us. Movies, elevators, stores. You can hear music in the waves in the ocean and the breeze in the trees. There are many studies that relay various benefits of learning an instrument. I have met many good people that I am still friends with through playing that I would not have if it were not for playing music.
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Selisha Toussaint
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Good with kids
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