Teaching Philosophy

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My purpose in teaching is to propel the student to a level of education and performance that exceeds their personal expectation. I do this by nurturing in them a love for learning, a curiosity for life, and a zest for sharing with others. I support these goals in the studio and classroom by creating an atmosphere that is respectful, safe, and inclusive for all students, because I believe students can participate fully in learning and develop an appreciation for their education only in a safe and inclusive environment.

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Part of my approach is to allow students to stretch outside their comfort zone on a regular basis. This might include giving the student difficult repertoire or having them memorize an etude or a movement from a piece, but also extends to encouraging the student to have a diverse representation in repertoire choices. Examples might include focusing on a specific woman composer from an underrepresented demographic, finding and performing pieces that have a social or political significance, or learning to work with programs such as Max/MSP and SuperCollider. Interdisciplinary collaboration is greatly encouraged, and allows the student to expand their creativity and to experiment with evolving forms of music and art.

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Through all of these experiences, the student will fine-tune their musical skills and also come to realize the importance of equity and inclusion in the 21st century. In my own teaching and performance, I lead by example by including a diverse array of works and constantly researching new compositions.

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Students should be both challenged and supported in their educational endeavors, and evaluated on a semester-by-semester basis. In private lessons, the student will be challenged with repertoire choices, with constant exposure to various styles and trends such as electroacoustic music, minimalism, and works by underrepresented composers. Thus, graduates will be able to operate in any 21st century performance setting and draw upon a multitude of aesthetics and philosophies. Lessons will be supplemented with chamber music and repertoire class, allowing the student to learn how to work with others and cover a wide range of clarinet and bass clarinet repertoire. Pedagogy class will be tailored to students wishing to teach at the secondary or post-secondary level. The degree will culminate in a final senior recital, with the addition of a capstone project that involves research or a creative element, helping to prepare the student for graduate work or for a variety of career potentials.

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In the classroom, students are encouraged to perform at their highest ability. Independent research projects and interdisciplinary collaboration allow the student to be more involved with their education, while simultaneously developing skills that will suit them later in their professional careers. Students will develop a strong work ethic, responsibility, adaptability, and confidence. Through the process of being encouraged to ask questions, participate with an open mind, and to formulate their own hypotheses and methods, a student is more inclined to achieve success.

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It is my desire as an educator to become a mentor for my students and to assist them in finding, establishing, and solidifying their own ambitious goals and purposes that provide direction,intrinsic motivation, and allow flexibility, spontaneity, and change. It is also my duty to help the student understand the benefits of failure. This is accomplished by transmuting the word “failure” into a different perspective, so that the student may discover that “failure” is just a descriptive word for an opportunity that allows for learning and growth.

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When my students leave the classroom, it is my wish for them to be knowledgeable, inquisitive, respectful, and to possess gratitude for our ability to learn and share with others. Students will be equipped with the tools to give and take criticism in a productive manner, and to continually appreciate music and art not only in regards to beauty and aesthetic, but to how it can be impactful on a larger scale beyond the concert hall by incorporating elements of diversity and inclusion. Students will also learn the skills to be successful in the 21st century music climate, whether following a more traditional path to graduate school or auditioning for orchestras, or through carving their own paths via collaboration or entrepreneurial opportunities.

 

I also maintain a private studio, and am currently accepting new students. Click for more information.

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UNIVERSITY TEACHING EXPERIENCE

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The University of Evansville, 2022-Present Evansville, IN
Clarinet, Studio Recording and Production, Music History

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The University of Arizona, Fall 2020, Tucson, AZ                                                                                                          

Parental Leave Replacement, Clarinet Studio

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The University of Arizona, 2017-2020, Tucson, AZ                                                                                                           

Graduate Teaching Assistant in Clarinet

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