About the Stuff I Do:
I have been teaching music for ten years, and I've gotten pretty good at it. The fact that I teach multiple instruments (piano, guitar, voice, and drums) gives me a rare neutral perspective that allows me to evaluate each student's needs on his or her own terms. I escape the "if you've got a hammer, everything looks like a nail" mindset.
My breadth of experience means that I can, for example, teach piano using things I've learned as a drummer, and incorporate elements of piano pedagogy into my work with guitarists. This versatility is helpful, but even more importantly, I can combine the elements of my work to truly customize a program for each student. For example, I might teach a student how to sing a song while accompanying herself on the piano or guitar. I'll play drums along with my guitar students to help them feel the groove of a song. I'll observe that a student is stalling out on piano and switch him to guitar.
As a Teacher of Private Lessons:
Piano
Specialties:
- Intensive program for young children
- Problem-solving
- Rescuing the kid who hates classical
- Choosing appropriate repertoire
- Playing by ear
- Playing and singing
Guitar
Specialties:
- Playing and singing
- Fixing mechanical problems (strumming, etc.)
- Figuring out songs by ear
Voice
Specialties:
- Building confidence
- Fixing pitch problems
- Learning to sing "from scratch"
- Adapting technique for different styles
Other Instruments
- Practice techniques
- Choosing appropriate repertoire
- Phrasing and musicality
Other Things I've Been:
Consultant Helping people figure out the path they might take in music.
Guitar Teacher My specialty is creating systems for learning things that aren't being picked up intuitively.
Piano Teacher Usually people are playing the wrong material for their level and interests - I love to fix this problem.
Voice Coach From getting people to sing who swear they can't sing, to refining tiny details of phrasing and pronunciation to make singers sound authentic in a given style.
Performer Original songs, holiday music, light classical, standards, pop songs, background music, rock...you name it, I've played it.
Teacher Trainer I work with more than twenty teachers at my school, Eclectic Music, helping to improve their work in the studio and out.
Career Coach For students considering careers in music, and would-be musicians and music teachers finding their way.
Preschool Music Teacher Five sweet years at Morningside Day Out.
K-4 General Music Teacher Five hundred kids at two elementary schools.
Junior High Band Director At seven-thirty in the morning.
Workshop Leader Songwriting, vocal coaching - I've been hired by churches, schools, and businesses to coach leaders and train staff.
Choir Director Current musical director of the Intown Women's Glee Club.
Drummer Currently with The Omnivores, playing everything from the Stones to XTC, plus original music.
Songwriter Recorded and released one album of original music, with more to come.