Alex H
Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Synthesizer, Electric Violin, Fiddle
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Electronic, Avant-garde
Alex H
Instruments: Piano, Violin, Viola, Synthesizer, Electric Violin, Fiddle
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Folk, Electronic, Avant-garde
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 14-80
BFA, The University of Michigan, Performing Arts Technology
2013 - Debuted Brian Kelley's "Different Spaces;" free improv on a piano and violin to various samples of radio grabbed straight from the air 2014 - Debuted Steven Rush's "Gypsy Pond Hockey Music," an acoustic-electric live accompaniment to a 3-on-3 hockey match 2015 - Debuted Original Work "Fake," featuring four dancers playing catch with pinecones while I play Bach on a de-tuned violin in the middle 2015 - Released game "Slider Hero" which leverage sensors and small electronics through an Arduino into reactive sound effects 2015 - Debuted Original Solo Work "Ampli-Puncture," in which a mannequin was wired with electronics to become a performance medium
I am an energetic, fun-loving instructor with an excellent musical intuition and a passion for motivating students to appreciate the many extra-musical perspectives that music brings to the table. I hold the notion that music can enhance countless other parts of your life, and can lead to a better understanding of the world and people around us. I am also a firm believer in technology as a tool to enhance music, and incorporate it into my work with notation software and performative technology (HCI). I trust in music as a tool of self-expression, and believe that it can build bridges and break down barriers around the world. I am also a Twitch Music Affiliate, and have regular music livestreams where anybody can come and interact with me while I play multiple instruments.
I've had the pleasure of helping and mentoring countless colleagues and fellow students through my career. I've learned through the years that there is no one single curriculum to rule them all. I tend to see them like The Pirate's Code...just a guideline. Musicians bring more than just their ability into the classroom; they also bring their personality! Likes, dislikes, family, favorite foods, favorite video games...they all contribute to the musician that they are, or aspire to be. I want to help you realize that vision and cultivate what "being a musician" means to you. I am familiar with countless musical settings, classical and non-classical, and can give classical musicians a glimpse into non-traditional music, or vice versa!
I believe a good musical day is enjoyed through a well-balanced musical diet! I love to keep the fundamentals in mind with scales and etudes fit for the student's skill level, and leverage those through a performance piece of choice, be it mine or yours (with blessings). If we are working towards a specific piece for a recital or a judge, I will tailor assignments to the piece. I am proficient with music notation software, so customized sheets are absolutely a possibility. If the student is interested in learning non-classical pieces, composing their own music, or getting electronic with some pedals and an amp, I would be happy to help with that as well.
I love to ask questions about the student's thought process, and you will commonly see me "break down" technique into smaller, more digestable pieces. I will also take the time to discuss the musical setting of the piece to give the performance more context. For example, did you know that Mozart's Violin Sonata No. 21 in e minor was written around the time his mother passed, and is the only instrumental piece he wrote that rests in e minor? I would also require a physical notebook (preferred) or some form of note-taking utility. That way we can keep track of goals, set new ones, or just write things down to keep in mind (e.g. "Measure 45 of the Berlioz: Keep spiccato crisp").
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