The world of one-on-one learning is a deeply important to me. It is the foundation of my philosophy in teaching that I bring to my classrooms. Student voice and agency over their musicianship is key. I focus my students to their learning with questions to prompt critical thinking. They learn through playful banter how mistakes are okay to make and that starting over is paramount to their success. Then we celebrate big and little wins every single time!
I teach almost every instrument, especially when the opportunity to teach an instrument I don’t often get to play. Generally I am limited to those instruments that I own and create with regularly, but always seek to expand my collection and ability. Of the instruments that I perform regularly or have taught to students either currently or in the past, piano, guitar, and voice are at the top. I also currently have active students learning flute, violin, percussion, and cello.
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The following videos are of current students on multiple instruments and skill levels during their lessons. Videos are followed by a brief description.
Miss S. here has been learning flute with me and decided that she loves theater and wanted voice lessons as well. This clip shows me using flute, voice, and guitar to accomplish our goals in this lesson. With fluidity between flute and voice she is learning practice techniques, pitch recognition, to various accent markings, and best of all to sing what she can play on her flute.
Miss CG on her second violin lesson. Prior to any notation reading we are exploring the instrument, its strings, and rhythm with simple call and response play!
Having studied with me for over three years, Mr. W is learning the music that I have to learn in this video. We explore the finger style guitar part to a Hadestown song!
Miss E. has two older brothers who learn with me. She turned four and proclaimed that she would learn piano. After almost a year of exploration and predatory/beginner book learning she improvises at each lesson and plays with both hands. While learning the Gb Major scale she demonstrates recognition of mistakes and self-correction while enjoying every second.
Mr. H is demonstrating a I,IV,V7,I chord progression through the circle of fifths. Using both hands he also establishes his ability to count and play in 6/8, 5/4, 4/4, 3/4, and 2/4 within this lesson and practice.
Contact Me
Private lesson placement is limited. If I cannot take anymore students at the time of inquiry, I will work with you to secure a suitable instructor to begin lessons with asap. Please include the age of the student and what instrument/s will be learned.
J.A.M. 