Mike G
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Musical Theater, Funk, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Marching Band
Mike G
Instruments: Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Keyboard, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Musical Theater, Funk, Showtunes, Reggae, Latin Jazz, Swing, Marching Band
Where I Teach:
In Your Home
My Studio
Ages Taught: 10-80
ABOUT
Degrees / Training / Special Info:
BA, Western Michigan University, Music Studied Music Education, Jazz, Music Therapy
Awards:
2016 - Played Mars Hotel Blotto with Electric Jug Band 2016 - Toured nationally with Reggae Lou 2006-7 Counselor at WMU music camp Seminar 2001-5 Counselor at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp
Overview:
I'm a passionate musician who is motivated to share my knowledge to help others reach their musical aspirations. I have over twenty years experience in music starting in 6th grade in beginning band; graduating from Western Michigan University in 2008 with a BA in music; playing in concert bands, jazz bands, musical pits; playing in regional bands of blues, jam bands, reggae and more. Being able to share music with others is one of the most important things to me. Be it from myself on a stage or by teaching others how to find their voice.
EXPERIENCE
My experiences teaching a wide. I have been a camp counselor at Interlochen Fine Arts Camp and through Western Michigan's Program. While at college and a few years after graduating I taught private music lessons maintaining a weekly student load of 10 -15. I have taken some time off in the few years and in that time have done assisted living with adults with developmental disorders and mental illness. The past 5 winters I have also taught Ski lessons. All of these experiences have given a wide knowledge base of how to interact with and impart knowledge to all people. We all have different ways of learning I I believe it is the job of the teacher to find the door that allows the student to best learn, and to give them the information they need to succeed.
METHODS USED
For beginning students who are in a school music program, I start with whatever the preferred beginner's method that their band uses: usually Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. As they progress I use a mixture of their music from school and etudes and exercises to improve their reading and technical abilities. I also utilize many listening and repeating techniques outside of reading. It is important to have the connection of ear to playing with music just as with a language. And languages are first learned through hearing and repeating not reading. With beginning students who are adults I use the same methods. I find out what their musical aspirations are and from there I design a course of study that balances methods and etudes and aural exercises that will quickly get the student to their desired ability.
LESSON STYLE
I believe the best teachers are those who are able to understand the aspirations of their students and are able to give them the info and methods to acquire their dreams. I try to set student specific goals and learning paths to give them what they need. I view music as a form of communication like other languages. To be literate with a language, one must be able to understand it when they hear it, be able to say their own thoughts, be able to read written language, and write their own thoughts. I believe all of these skills are important when someone is learning music to be well rounded and literate. That's not to say x22everythingx22 must be known. But I believe students should have an understanding of fundamentals of music and how it applies to their musical genres and aspirations. My hope is to always give my students the knowledge they need to be able to express themselves as they desire.
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