Music Lessons in Fairmount Park, WA

Instruments: Piano Violin

My teaching experience dates back to high school, when I began giving private violin and piano lessons part time 8 years ago. Since that time I've continued to teach in the Puyallup area as well as in Bellingham and Mt Vernon. Ive used many teaching models over the years on students of all ages from very diverse backgrounds. I did most of this through trial and error; learning that very young children do best with short structured and repetative lessons, while teenagers can benefit more from targeted lessons that switch focus every week, and what to do when a student struggles because of stress in their home. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I really began teaching when I was in high school and then going into college. During high school I was discovered by different middle school and elementary school music teachers and asked to come teach their students. As I began working at different schools, I was asked to give private lessons. I taught beginner masterclasses, private lessons, and traveled to different schools for about two years. In 2017 I was offered a visual and musical teaching position with the Grants Pass Highschool Marching Band. Read More

Instruments: Saxophone Flute

I love seeing students grow and develop as musicians. Therefore, I set realistic goals and expectations for the student. I encourage them to explore the material covered during lessons as well as make discoveries on their own. By finding out what inspires the student, I can successfully tailor my instruction to meet their musical goals. Read More

Instruments: Voice Music

My mission statement is To teach with encouragement, humor, patience, and simple terminology, using applied science and body-awareness, all with the goal of vocal expressiveness. I always create a safe, supportive environment where my students can learn to express themselves through singing effectively. I use the McClosky Technique that employs applied science to help my students to sing with complete relaxation and freedom applied to any style of singing. My philosophy of teaching is based on the fact that working on voice technique is really an athletic process, and follows these principles: o A good voice teacher will let your true voice reveal itself, then follow it wherever it goes with encouragement and well-informed instruction. o A good voice teacher wont jump to conclusions about your voice but listen to how you describe your own experience and take it from there. o A good voice teacher will engage in deep listening with the goal of achieving complete relaxation when singing and speaking. o A good voice teacher will help you learn how to feel your body guiding you. Read More

Instruments: Flute

I have completed two pedagogy training programs. During my graduate studies at the Longy School of Music, I took a two semester sequence of pedagogy coursework which included teaching two high school students under the supervision of a Longy flute professor. I also participated in the Teacher Training Program at the Boston Flute Academy where I taught workshops to adults and junior high students on sight-reading and intonation, and masterclasses to advanced junior high and high school students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

For younger students who are beginning, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. This book has great materials for setting up the violin and bow hold, reading notes, rhythm and other musical markings, and introducing basic music theory such as time and key signatures. Also, this book incorporates the foundation of all musical learning, scales and arpeggios, into fun exercises that are enjoyable for every student.For older students who have more experience, I have a range of etudes from Sevcik to Kreutzer that can futher develop and solidify a good foundation of technique.For musical training, I use solo repertoire from Suzuki and other sources that are appropriate for each student's level so that he/she can be healthily challenged musically and technically while feeling accomplished during performances. Read More