Teaching Philosophy

As a music educator I will strive to not just teach musical concepts or prepare performances but to promote excellence in every student, whether it be musicianship, graded assignments, participation, or just daily life. I want my classroom to be a place where students feel free to create, a space where they can have fun and enjoy the music they are playing with their peers, while also being a place where everyone is at their best and making progress at all times. I want the excellence promoted in my classroom to also show itself in others, setting the example for other students. 

As far as repertoire, I hope to consistently present varied concerts with music that comes from all over the world, from different time periods, and with different cultures and social issues in mind. I plan on educating my students on the importance and backstory of each piece that we prepare while avoiding pushing my personal views if I have them.

I want my students to excel, not only as musicians, but as people too. I want my students to be responsible, respectful, accountable, and motivated, while also having fun with their friends and enjoying my class. I hope to promote these values and more, and I hope to see my students apply them in other classes and in daily life. I want to be able to provide for my students, whether it be loaning instruments, giving lessons, or simply being someone they can trust. I hope to be a mentor to my students, something more than just a teacher.

I also want to hold myself to a high standard. I want to be learning every day that I’m teaching, and constantly improving, whether it be my conducting, musicianship, public speaking, interaction with my peers and colleagues, my students, and the community, or my overall personal character. I want to be at my best as much as I can, and I want to set a positive example for my students. As a teacher, I will inevitably encounter students who would need extra help or be going through hard circumstances, and I want to be able to accommodate them and set them up for success. I also want to be transparent to both students and parents, whether it be about grades or decisions I’ve made. I want to be a clear communicator to students and parents, and create the means of doing so.

Finally, I want to grow my future programs into not just good ensembles but into programs that are loved and respected by the community and administration, give the students something to love and participate in, score well at competitions and perform well at concerts, and show the standard of excellence that can be achieved by students in the school system. I believe music and music-making is an integral part of what makes us human and can drastically improve the lives of people from all walks of life in many different areas, and I am very much looking forward to seeing my class change the lives of my students even if it’s in the smallest of ways.