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BME, OklahomaChristian University, Percussion AS, Murray State, Business
2004- Guitar Center's Drum-Off store finalist 2009- Performed in the premier concert of The Mary Rose with Kyle Dillingham and the OK Comm. Orchestra
I am an educator who is in love with music and my instrument, and I enjoy fostering in my students an excitement about music. I graduated from Oklahoma Christian University in 2011, with a Bachelor of Music Education with a percussion emphasis, and I earned my A.S. in Business from Murray State a few years prior. I have played in several bands over the years, both playing covers and original music, and I have experience with studio work. I have played in the Oklahoma Community Orchestra since 2009.
I began giving private lessons in 2003, and have taught in my own studio since 2010. I have taught group percussion to elementary -aged students and worked with a high school band and percussion ensemble. I have also been a music teacher in the OKC public schools, working with PK through 6th grade. I am certified by the Oklahoma Department of Education in instrumental music for PK-12. I am also an instructor/director at the School of Rock and a contributing educational writer. I love to find the key that unlocks the magic of music for each student. Everyone is different, so this process is a treasure hunt.
I like to use The Drum Set Musician, by Rod Morganstein and Rick Mattingly, as my primer and launching pad, and I strive to show students how to maximize written exercises by building new concepts upon them. This is a great idea generator. If a student comes to me with established interests, I tailor the lessons to those. If a student comes to me as a clean slate, we will explore different styles of music until we find that spark. I choose a song that the student may work with fairly quickly, so there is success and incentive early on.
I emphasize reading, because it gives each student the tools to learn independently and unlocks worlds of information. If a younger student aspires to play in school bands, this knowledge will equip him or her to this end and place the student ahead of his or her peers. I also emphasize feel, because this goes way beyond the mere reproducing of written notes into the very heart of music. I teach students how to analyze and map songs, so they may take those tools forward and utilize critical listening skills. I love seeing students grasp new concepts and truly enjoy their playing.