Teaching Philosophy

• Students learn easily and fully in a safe, inclusive, caring, and supportive environment; that environment encourages them to take risks without fear of repercussion or failure. 

• Once that environment is created and nurtured, learning begins. Environment encourages learning; students ask questions and experiment with critical thinking and how their bodies (instruments) make sound. 

• Process is more important than product. 

• Communication is instinctual, as evidenced by the fact that we scream or cry almost from the moment we are born; to stifle that instinct is counterproductive. 

• We also breathe instinctually (breath coordination), which explains how we make it through the night alive when we fall asleep. 

• Therefore, humans are naturally equipped to coordinate their muscles to make noise (sing); in the applied studio, I strive to help them be aware of and react to the physical sensations produced by their body while singing. 

• The student has the tools to use their own body/instrument, and the teacher guides the student towards using those tools efficiently. 

• Overall process outcome goals: individual growth, collective positivity and contribution to an inclusive, supportive community.