STATEMENT OF TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
As a teacher, I strive to incorporate all aspects of music, and remember that I am not teaching just the instrument. When I am teaching private lessons, I stress attention to detail. Some teachers are only interested in fast results, regardless of any bad habits that a student might pick up in the meantime. I, however, take the time to help students build a solid foundation of fundamental skills so they learn everything right the first time. I believe that good habits that are stressed in lessons successfully translate into proper practice methods. During lessons I integrate tonal development (with a strong focus on musicality) with theory (scales and intervals), and I challenge students to make decisions for themselves.
The role of music in a child’s life has proven to be valuable tool in personal and educational development. It is my goal as a teacher to inspire students to not only play well, but to excel in all of their lives’ endeavors. My mentors had such a positive impact on me, which is where my enthusiasm and dedication to teaching first came from. I understand how challenging it can be to keep students interested in their instruments and music. To the best of my ability I keep lessons interesting and fun by doing smaller intervals of flute work, followed by rhythm games, listening exercises, and level-appropriate history lessons.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Malone Central School District-Substitute Teacher
January 2013-present
Serve as a general substitute for teachers and teaching assistants in all grades.
SUNY Plattsburgh-Lecturer in Flute
Spring 2013
Serve as instructor to MUS 161b-e, MUS 162b Applied Flute Lessons and MUS 398a Flute Ensemble.
Chateaugay Central School- Long-term General Music/Choral Substitute
September 2012
Taught general music from grades Pre-K through 6. Developed and taught piano instruction for 7th and 8th grade general music classes as well as 10th grade guitar class. Conducted Elementary, Junior, and Senior High Choirs.
Penn State University - Graduate Teaching Assistant
August 2010 - May 2012
MUSIC 254A Woodwind Techniques II, Flute
This 7-week course is dedicated to teaching music education majors the basic fundamentals of flute playing and pedagogy. By the end of the course, students were able to demonstrate integral skills, such as produce a clear sound (while being able to determine the specific difficulties beginners face), properly assemble and care for the instrument, and demonstrate various articulations and dynamics.
WWNDS100J Secondary Flute Lessons
This course is designed for Penn State students who are non-music majors, yet wish to study the flute privately. Some students come with little to no experience, while others had taken lessons for several years before attending college. The majority of the secondary students are also involved in non-major ensembles. While each student received personalized attention, the structure for all lessons taught were fairly consistent. There was a big emphasis on tonal development, technical studies, and lots of work with intonation.
MUSIC 191 Flute Ensemble
As the assistant director of this ensemble, I was involved in running part of the rehearsals as well as prepare for a recital that was given at the end of each semester. My primary tasks were conducting, score study, preparing for rehearsals (improving ensemble rehearsing skills), and picking appropriate repertoire.
Penn State University - Summer Music Camp
Summer 2010, 2011
As the sole instructor of flute, it was my responsibility to prepare for and run hour-long masterclasses. These classes included topics such as performance and audition anxiety, playing in front of peers, scale and technique improvement, and history of the flute. Additionally, I coached a flute quintet that worked on three different pieces throughout the week long camp.
University of Delaware - Graduate Teaching Assistant
August 2009 - May 2010
MUSC217 Woodwind Instrument Class I, Flute
A course lasting an entire semester which is dedicated to the basic fundamentals of flute playing and pedagogy. Additionally, I strongly emphasized the history and performance practice behind the instrument to a point where student’s could successfully identify the different schools of flute playing, famous flutists, and important years for the development of the instrument.
MUSC155 Private Study for Secondary and Merit
This course was available for non-majors who had a desire to study the flute privately as a continuation of their pre-existing musical background. Meetings were arranged once a week and typically lasted an hour long. Subject matter was decided upon in the first lessons where the student and I would discuss their goals. These goals usually consisted of improvement on technique and tone.
French Woods Performing Arts Festival - Music Instructor and Camp Counselor
Summer 2008
As a music instructor at a performing arts camp, my duties were revolved around making the students into the best musicians possible. My primary tasks were to teach private lessons (sometimes twice a week for 30 minute periods) and sit next to the students at all of their rehearsals. The side-by-side approach to teaching was very effective here because students not only were able to ask questions when they came up but also they could emulate my playing. Towards the end of the camp, I was asked to be the associate conductor of the chamber orchestra, where I ran rehearsals every day and put on two concerts and the end of camp.
