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MY APPROACH

Rooted in my natural enthusiasm, I collaborate with each student to create a musical learning environment that is both fun and challenging. I think music is a perfect area for exploring the intersection of challenge and confidence. Finding growth through what may first feel confusing or even frustrating can bring immense pride. Each student has unique, evolving goals, and I believe that rewarding musical study can look completely different in each individual’s life. There is not one ideal image of what it means to be a musician, and I want my students to be inspired by the music around them and their own learning. I encourage them to discover how beautiful it is to show up for yourself in the way required to learn a complex craft like playing an instrument and then to share that love of creation with others.

Having been so positively shaped by my Suzuki upbringing, I aim to continue the legacy of his philosophies through my own teaching. To use the language of the Suzuki community, I share the fundamental belief that “Every Child Can” learn music in a supportive environment, the way humans learn language or their “mother tongue.” “Talent” is not a rare gift, but is “Nurtured by Love.” I draw upon Suzuki teaching resources, methods, and philosophy, adapting the learning goals to fit, and challenge, my students.

Experience

I have loved teaching my 12 delightful piano and violin students over the past 9 years. Assisting in their learning has given me innumerable insights into how I think and how I play. I started teaching a student for free who otherwise would not have been able to pursue her desire to play. Since then, I have continued to encourage open conversations about the financial accessibility of lessons with my students and their families. 


Having taught through the pandemic, I have almost three years of experience with keeping online lessons dynamic, engaging, and effective. Though this has been a challenge for all teachers, it has taught us new lessons about students’ dedication, attention, and personalities. I am grateful that so many of my students and their families continued giving themselves the gift of instrumental study during the trials of the past few years. The brightening impact music has on all of our hearts became even more apparent.


want to meet your musical ancestors?

I have traced the teachers of my teachers back to the early 1700s and the first known owner of a Stradivarius violin. If you are interested in reading a bit more about each of these teachers, take a look at this document.


Suzuki philosophy and Civic wellbeing

In high school I wrote this paper on similarities I found between Suzuki learning and civic wellbeing. 
What I expect of my students


  • Bring your curiosity

  • Respect pre-arranged lesson times

  • Communicate in advance when changes are needed

  • Arrive on time, with materials, and prepared

  • Communicate struggles and desires

  • Believe in yourself

What Students can expect of me

  • Single-minded focus on the student during lessons

  • Incorporation of students’ musical desires into the plan of study

  • Clear and open communication with students and parents

  • Advance notice of any shifts to the schedule or changes in tuition

  • Availability outside lessons to address pertinent questions

  • Full belief in and support of the abilities of the student

Online Guidelines


  • You can expect the same attention to quality from me

  • Come to the lesson with a fully charged device

  • Set the camera at an angle where I can see the full length of the bow and violin and where posture is not compromised

  • Set the audio settings to “Original Sound” on Zoom and to “Wide Spectrum” on FaceTime

  • Online music instruction requires an understanding from both of us that any frustrations with the environment must be separated from the teaching and learning. Extra grace is needed when technology is a third party