Stephen S
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Organ, Keyboard
Styles: Classical, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera
Stephen S
Instruments: Piano, Voice, Organ, Keyboard
Styles:
Classical, Folk, Gospel, Musical Theater, Opera
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 5-80
Completed 25 credits towards a BS, Bob Jones University, Music Education BA, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Church Music, projected graduation May 2019
2013 - Performed with the Bob Jones University Singers as a featured collegiate choir at the South Carolina ACDA state conference. 2014 - Performed in the Priest's Chorus of Bob Jones University's production of Verdi's AIDA, the production was awarded second place professional opera in the National Opera Association's Opera Production Competition. 2016 - Performed with the University of Alabama in Huntsville's piano ensemble as a part of the Huntsville Music Teacher's Association's premier of their commissioned work by Eugenie Rocherolle "Celebration Suite"
I am an active church musician, accompanist, and piano teacher in the Huntsville/Decatur area of North Alabama. I love working with kids; tutoring math and reading; arranging and composing church music; as well as teaching classical piano, classical voice, sacred music, and hymn improvisation. I am currently working towards my bachelor's degree in Church Music, Piano, from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I have in the past, studied piano, with Mr. Ed Rea at Bob Jones University and voice, with Mrs. Deanna Peterson at Bob Jones University. I am currently studying, piano with Dr. Melody Ng at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and organ with Dr. David Miller at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
I have been teaching private piano and voice since my senior year of highschool in 2012. I believe that every human has the capability of being a musician, and through my studies have further come to the conclusion that every human being should try to in some way develop the inate musicality they are born with. I never treat my students as anything less than an adult - no matter their age - waiting for a chance to succeed, and have only ever seen results. I strive to always be supportive of my student's dreams but to also push them towards the greatness I know every one of them is capable of. Students in studio are encouraged to enter competitions and are required to perform in regular performance classes along with spring and summer recitals. I expect my students to practice regularly, and to come to their lessons prepared and ready to perform all of their assigned repertoire. My students leave their lessons every week felling accomplished and ready to go straight to working on their pieces for theur next lesson.
I typically will start each student with preliminary lesson that allows me a chance to assess the student's current level, and knowledge base. This preliminary lesson also gives me a chance to do what I call a "method book fitting" this allows me to assess how compatible different method books are with my students personality and learning style. At the end of the first lesson, I typically will leave the student with a loaner copy of the method book I have "fitted" them with and a basic assignment for the first week. At the second lesson I will typically have the student's initial individualized lesson plan mapped out and will begin moving them towards their first goal.
At the end of the day, my main goal is to have my students love music so much that they'd rather practice than watch the latest episode of their favorite TV show. I want my students to go the their music whenever they have a chance, not because they have to practice, but because they want to. I individualize every student's lesson plan, from the time we have their "method book fitting" to the time they are haveing their final lesson with me before a competition. Each student is unique and therefore requires a unique lesson plan. I try to understand what my student's hobbies and interests are, as well as find a way ti integrate those into their lessons, and repetoire.
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