My teaching philosophy

It is my belief that playing a musical instrument to a high level is one of the most enjoyable and self-fulfilling artistic activities that a person can take part in. It is
through the process of making beautiful music that we may come to discover new worlds of artistic expression, and we can reach our full potential to express ourselves in the most human way possible. When approaching viola instruction, it is therefore first important to think of the human aspect of playing such an instrument, and the degree of pleasure and self-actualization that one may achieve when playing any musical instrument. My teaching philosophy is therefore
based on the following major principles

• In order for my students to reach the level of humanistic fulfillment that I look for in all of them, they must think of themselves of musicians first. This means that they will often be encouraged to sing and play melodies (or harmonies) on the piano in order to better understand the flow of a musical phrase or the way that a melody locks in with a certain harmony when played in tune. Students will also be encouraged to listen to recordings of other instruments and singers in order to find the common artistic links that we all share as musicians. From this point, the student will be able to think about his/her playing from a different standpoint than simply looking at the technical elements that go into playing.
  

• Being a future classroom teacher, I have come to an understanding that there are many different ways to motivate a student, and that motivation for a large group can often be a challenge, due to the fact that one method may not work for an entire class of students. In private lessons, however, the teacher is afforded the opportunity of trying different motivational techniques in order to find something that works for the individual. This process of finding a method for the student that truly fuels him/her onward as a player is one of the great joys of giving private instruction.
  

• I firmly believe in a comprehensive approach to teaching music. When learning any subject, instruction must never be given inside a vacuum; the 
  

student should be given a general idea of the context of the music that he/she is learning, and how this background may affect the way that it is performed. This can lead to a greater appreciation of the time period that is associated with this music, and the stylistic mentality of a performer who may be approaching the piece at the time that it was first written.

• Ultimately, a student must realize that playing the viola will require a great deal of work and preparation. The challenges that face a student will always necessitate extra practicing on the part of the student, and part of my approach to private teaching will involve letting the student know what needs to be practiced, and how one might go about practicing a certain passage or technical exercise (based on certain elements of the music or technique may need special attention). Depending on the age and experience of the student, this may be approached in different ways, and the overall amount of practicing needed will vary based upon these factors.
  

Overall, I believe that the general goal of every effective private teacher is the same; they all want their students to excel in playing their respective instrument.This is certainly the case with me as well, and I believe that achieving a high level of viola playing will require my students to have patience and to be attentive to the practice instructions that they are given. If a student understands this in their lessons, then he/she will move closer and closer to reaching a true understanding of what needs to be done in order to reach the next degree of playing. Ultimately, my hope is that each of my students becomes more whole as a human through honing their abilities as musicians, and that they incorporate the strong work ethic they gain from their lessons into the goals they choose to pursue throughout their lifetimes.