Teaching Philosophy
As a violin teacher, I love to inspire my students with my passion for this instrument and for music. I show my students the limitless worlds, both real and imagined, to which music can take them, and that no matter what age or level we are, we are constantly learning. I encourage my students to reach for the stars, while also providing honest and constructive feedback that will help them get there. The connection between teacher and student can be powerful, and I believe it is important to be committed to each student and care for them as individuals beyond music. I have been blessed by amazing families and individuals in my studio that have remained close, despite me moving across the county. This is the truest testament to the bonds that can be built.
Of utmost importance in teaching students, is to ensure they have a strong technical foundation. This will, among many things, ensure they love the tone they produce and help them play with ease, ensuring years of happy playing. I accomplish this by combining the methods of Suzuki, Paul Rolland, and Mimi Zweig, making the process fun and rewarding for the student. However, as each student learns and reacts differently, I believe it is important to remain flexible in my approach and find what works best for each individual. Additionally, holding regular group classes is an important element to my studio. These classes help students interact and collaborate with one another, while learning music theory, aural training, and note reading, along with a bit of healthy competition.
Music is a rather holistic discipline. The lessons and skills learned to play an instrument can be carried over into everything we do. I find so many parallels where I can apply the knowledge gained from practicing and playing the violin to various situations in my life. As students begin to study, a key element they learn is that having a strong work ethic and commitment will carry them a long way. This is far more powerful than mere talent, as talent alone can only take one so far. I like to use teaching violin as a tool to help students be creative and critical thinkers, by asking them questions and giving them a chance to problem solve in lessons. Beyond all this, I wish to impart to my students the fact that music is powerful, and they have the opportunity to accomplish great things through this wonderful gift.