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Bachelor's of Music Education Aug 2011 - May 2014 VanderCook College of Music
Illinois Professional Educator's License
A little about myself, I am a graduate from VanderCook College of Music where I received my Bachelors of Music Education degree. I focused primarily on classical guitar as my major instrument. I have a strong passion for playing guitar and teaching it. I have been teaching lessons for 10 years, and have had a wide array of students. I teach all ages and all skill levels.
I perform professionally as the founder and member of the Windy City Guitar Duo. We play a wide variety of instrumental repertoire focusing on original and contemporary compositions.VanderCook College of Music is solely committed to music education. I received incredible training in all aspect of music education. I not only learned about teaching, but I was also actively involved in band, choir, orchestra, and guitar ensemble. My experience with guitar dates even further back. I have been playing and studying the guitar for the past 15 years.
I have also taught for 5 years at Adlai E. Stevenson High School where I: - Helped promote and grow the guitar program to over 120 students - Taught beginner to advanced group and private lessons - Participated and hosted in many guitar concerts and festivals - Composed and arranged pieces for guitar ensemble - Co-Curricular sponsor of 4 clubs; Musical Pit Director, Tri M Music Honor's Society, Guitar Club, and Stevenson LiveFor beginning students I use very little of a method book. I find it that is important that one learns to make a good sound and has fun with the instrument in the early phases. During this time I cover chords, basic finger and pick technique, proper posture, lead sheets, and blues improvisation. I then transition into Charles Duncan's "A Modern Approach to Classical Guitar." This book provided a solid foundation of the ability to read written sheet music. After this book, I transition the student to written sheet music repertoire. Intermediate and advanced students will work on proper technique, many styles of repertoire, music theory, and improvisation.
Here's a quick list of the type of things you can expect to learn through my lessons; Proper holding position, posture, and playing technique. Fingerpicking playing style Ability to read written sheet music Ability to read and count rhythm Play a wide variety of repertoire ranging from pop to classical Improvisation of grooves, melodies, and harmonies. And most importantly, musicianship and having fun.
Beginner students will focus on the fundamentals of guitar, building the skills needed to play songs. Intermediate students will focus on songs and fretboard theory. Advanced students will work on refining technique, music theory, musicality, and musicianship.