My Teaching Philosophy

As a musician, I feel teaching is an incredibly important endeavor. It is important as artists that we give back to the community, and to future generations of musicians. I recently obtained my 5-Year Professional Teaching License in the State of Ohio, and taught for 5 years in Switzerland of Ohio Local School District.




• 
  
  
  
  As a teacher primarily, with music being the subject matter that I educate others upon, I feel that the most important qualities of a teacher are patience, and positive attitude. I feel that it is important to challenge students, but also to do so in a caring, sensitive, honest manner. Seeing my students' confidence in not only their playing, but also themselves, is one of the greatest rewards I can receive as an educator. I believe that criticism should be coupled with compliment, and students progress quicker when improvements and progress can be linked.
  
  
  While I do derive my living from teaching and other musical endeavors, I believe in giving back to the community. As a band director, I made it routine practice to have my students not only play for community events, but also to pay it forward by being involved in community service projects. If I return to a public school classroom in the future, this will continue to be a focus of my teaching.
  
  
  
  

  Helpful Resources for Students:

  
  
  IMSLP.org (for a variety of etudes, excerpts, and solo pieces available in Public Domain in the United States)
  
  My Teaching Resources Page Coming Soon