My Teaching Style

As a student, I struggled a lot with perfectionism and being overly critical of myself. I believed I had to be good at things right away rather than allowing myself the space to learn. I would often get angry and give up when something felt too hard. This made practicing frustrating and I really struggled to enjoy playing. Even in college! Once I was able to work through this, practice became joyful. I looked forward to it, rather than avoiding it. As I worked through this mental block in my musical life, this new way of thinking spread to how I handled challenges outside the practice room. Even though my mindset is still a work in progress, I am now able to work through problems with less frustration and I am more likely to try new things! By working on mindset with your child, you will be able to help unlock their potential.

For beginning students, I believe in the power of positivity and fun when paired with high standards. Children are motivated by fun. The more we can tap into that, the easier it makes your job. Each step is given in small, manageable pieces. I like to direct my students to self observe and be part of their learning process. I believe this approach gives them more ownership and pride in the way they play. 

For advanced students, I continue to build their confidence while refining their technique and artistry. Students are guided to make musical choices based on time period, personal preference, and performance practice. I have a wide variety of practice strategies based on neuroscience. My advanced students have received excellent ratings at state solo and ensemble, participated in national orchestral programs in New York, played at their school’s concerto nights, and gone on to attend college as performance majors. If you are ready to enhance their musical experiences and reach artistic goals, I look forward to hearing from you.