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Bachelor Degree: Umass Amherst
2012 - Elin J. Stein Music Scholarship
I'm a multi-instrumentalist with over a decade of teaching experience who really enjoys watching my students grow as musicians. In 2015, I graduated from Umass Amherst with a Bachelor's degree in Music Performance and Arts Administration. As one half of the duo, Kid Coyote, I have had the great fortune of being able to play up and down the east coast from Maine to Pennsylvania. I look forward to taking on new students and sharing with them what I have learned from my teachers and what I have picked up as a traveling musician.
I began teaching music lessons over a decade ago while I was as a junior in high school and continue to teach to this day. While studying music at Umass Lowell, I taught for two years at the local music store, University Music. There, I worked with a diverse array of students from toddlers to adults, many of whom spoke english as their secondary language. After transferring to Umass Amherst to finish my degree, I began teaching at both Guitar Center in Portsmouth, NH and Zach Field Drum Studios in Newburyport, MA. During these last ten years I have focused on teaching students how to read music, develop proper technique and play their favorite songs.
For beginning students, I typically begin by teaching how to use proper technique and how to read music, chord changes or tablature. Once the student is ready, I will work with the student on pieces or songs that we choose together. For guitar students, I use songs as a basis for teaching scales, new chords and improvisation. For drum students, I use songs and solos as a means for teaching rudiments, grooves, fills and improvisation. For advanced students on both drums and guitar, I focus on transcriptions, song writing, improvising and musicianship.
I love watching my students develop the skills and habits they need to grow as musicians. Each student is unique and as such I cater my approach to help them progress at their own pace. I do this by consulting with my students and coming up with individualized practice routines and long-term goals. I feel that in this process it is very important to both commend students on their achievements and to offer constructive criticism in a way that is compassionate and helpful. Ultimately, my aim is to create an environment where students enjoy the process of learning about music and are not afraid to make mistakes.
I studied drum and piano with Joe for several years. He is by far my favourite teacher and if he still lived nearby I would still be studying with him now. My love for music stems from my time spent learning from him. He is an extremely good musician, an excellent teacher, and a very kind person.
Joe has been teaching my seven-year-old how to play the guitar for 1 year. I have only glowing things to say about him. He is friendly, kind, patient and a wonderful guitarist. He always adapts to our crazy lifestyle with 3 young children and takes everything in stride. He is a great person and teacher!