Bonnie C
Instruments: Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Folk, Country, Showtunes
Bonnie C
Instruments: Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Electric Guitar, Classical Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Blues, Folk, Country, Showtunes
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
Masters of Music ASU, Tempe, AZ, Education/Classical Guitar Bachelor of Music Education, UT Dallas
I am kind, patient and knowledgable . I have over 30 years of experience with youth through seniors and love every minute of sharing music with my students. Music theory, chord building, note reading,rhythm studies and improvisation skills are part of every lesson. Even though I specialize in Classical Guitar I enjoy teaching pop, folk, jazz, blues, country and more. I do teach note reading but I also encourage the use of tab as a tool for learning. I expect students to practice regularly and give them guidelines for making practice successful.
I began teaching at the age of 15 at the Willowdale Conservatory of Music where I had the opportunity to tutor underclassmen as a way of paying my tuition. I managed to put myself through college as a single parent by teaching guitar and banjo out of my home and contracting with local community centers and schools for guitar classes. I moved to Arizona in 1987 to accept a teaching fellowship at ASU West while completing my Masters degree. I then accepted a position as the Director of Guitar Programs at Glendale Community College. In 1999 I founded the Phoenix Conservatory of Music. I am now semi-retired and teaching from my home studio.
I teach out of several methods, depending on the desires and needs of each individual student. I do make sure all students have a basic understanding of note reading, rhythm, chord building, right hand techniques and various styles. We learn to strum, play arpeggios and improvise...everything the student needs to feel comfortable playing and performing. I encourage participation in recitals and make times available on a monthly basis for students to explore performance in a non-competitive, encouraging atmosphere.
I am passionate about students not only exploring musical styles but really understanding every aspect of the music they are learning, including the history of the musical style, the composers and the more well known performers. It is important to me that each student comprehends the details of each new piece they learn including, the specific fingering required, the details of the rhythms, dynamics and composer's directions and markings. I also encourage every student to explore various musical styles, even when they claim to have a special favorite, this way their music world is expanded.
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