Thomas A
Instruments: Guitar, Classical Guitar
Styles: Classical
Thomas A
Instruments: Guitar, Classical Guitar
Styles:
Classical
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
DM, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Guitar Performance (expected 2020) MM, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Guitar Performance BM, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Guitar Performance
Semi-finalist, Wilson Center Guitar Festival and Competition, 2016 Semi-finalist, University of Louisville Guitar Festival and Competition, 2015 Semi-finalist, Appalachian GuitarFest and Solo Competition, 2013 Barbara and David Jacobs Scholarship, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, 2011-2015
I am a classical guitar instructor capable of working with students of all skill levels and ages. I have played the instrument for 20 years. Currently, I am studying guitar at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with Ernesto Bitetti. As part of my work at the school, I have taught group and individual lessons in pop and classical guitar for the past three years, mostly at a beginner level. I tend to place a strong focus on students learning proper technique and how to read music. After those foundations are established, musical concerns can begin to be addressed. I can also teach music theory, based on my own education at Jacobs. This type of knowledge would be helpful for students hoping to write their own songs.
I have spent the past three years teaching group and individual lessons in pop and classical guitar as part of my graduate studies at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music. This means I have taught college-aged students exclusively, up to this point. However, I am completely open to teaching students of all ages. Most of my students have been complete beginners who have little to no experience making music, so I am absolutely comfortable working with novices. I always enjoy helping students gain knowledge and skills.
I emphasize the importance of proper posture, technique, the ability to read music, and knowledge of the fretboard. Accordingly, I always assign students exercises meant to develop and strengthen a variety of aspects of both left-hand and right-hand technique. The pace at which we move through the exercises is dependent on the student's own level of motivation and how much practice they do. I encourage students to practice daily for at least 30 minutes, but recommend more if they wish to see more dramatic results. Because most of my students are beginners, I typically start with very simple tunes intended to get their hands comfortable with the instrument, and to help them start reading music. After those are mastered, we move on to more complex pieces with greater technical demands. I am always willing to help students learn songs that they are interested in playing. This may not be possible immediately in all cases, depending on the student's skill level.
I always strive to be as patient as possible with my students. I do my best to tailor the pace at which we move through material to the specific student I am teaching. This is much more feasible in individual lessons as opposed to the more structured and scheduled group classes I teach. Both technical exercises and new pieces of music are approached slowly and methodically at first, in an effort to ensure each student has a complete understanding of the purpose of exercises, or what is occurring in a particular passage of music. It brings me great satisfaction to see my students learn and improve on a weekly basis. I do my best to let them know when I see and hear them improving.
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