For Parents: My Teaching Philosophy

Music is a unique field in that the study of music often relies on the relationship between a teacher and student. Knowledge of technique and musicianship can be passed on from the teacher to the student who is currently experiencing their own musical path. I have been incredibly fortunate to not only have studied with world-class teachers but also to have had teachers that cared about me personally and my development. I have taught both private students as well as coached young percussionists in a youth ensemble at NEC, and this article highlights some of my experience and what I hope to be able to pass on to students.

NEC Preparatory School

For the last three years, I have worked at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School as an ensemble manager and percussion coach of a youth wind ensemble. My job has been to both manage the group in terms of administrative duties as well as coach percussion every week by being in the percussion section and playing with them. I enjoy getting to see the energy of younger players and to share what knowledge and experience I have accumulated that could help them in their playing.

It is one thing to be able to teach a student privately, but to be active with them in rehearsal is an entirely different matter. I played in the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra in high school, and my teachers in the Atlanta Symphony would often do side-by-side concerts and coach us at rehearsals. To have your teachers present with you in the actual group is an advantage because they get to see you doing things in context versus by yourself in a practice room. They can show you really how to listen and place notes within an ensemble, and I have that distinct opportunity of playing alongside younger players and sharing some of my thoughts with them.

This experience has shown me what some strengths of younger players are and also what they struggle with and need guidance on from their teachers. I have found that if I can offer feedback in a way that is supportive but still pushes them to be motivated enough to practice on their own, I have seen tremendous growth in not only their playing but also with how they are playing within the ensemble.

Private Instruction

I have the opportunity to teach students privately both while I was in Atlanta and now in Boston, and I enjoy working with both younger and older students. Each student is unique in their interests, their personality and learning types, their current level of playing, and their work ethic and how they approach their instrument. I gear my teaching towards where they are now, where they want to go, and I how I can support them in the information I give them. Some students are super serious and want a lot of information. Other students are doing this because they like music and want to be involved in something at school. Both are great, but as a teacher I want to be able to offer them information and support that is meaningful and applicable to their interests.

As for percussion, it is such a diverse instrument that some students just want to focus on classical percussion and others on drum set, and this sort of specialization makes it interesting for me as a teacher to guide them in their interests. I have a great deal of information to offer, but I can share this with students for a student rate and not a professional rate.

Online Instruction

I have set up online lessons in an effort to offer instruction to students that are not able to have lessons because of COVID-19. Some concerns of parents are that the online format is not as conducive to learning as it is in person. I have continued my lessons with my teacher in the Boston Symphony, and the online format has not changed the quality of lessons. The only difference is now I might get to see my teacher cook breakfast while he listens to me play snare drum.

Over the past year, I have been able to teach several students online in several states, and I have learned new skills both in what information I can give students as well as how I can guide them. Some students need a lot of positive reinforcement and cheerleading, while others want more constructive criticism, and others just want to have fun! I have enjoyed teaching students just starting out in 6th grade all the way to more advanced 12th and high school students.

The world and our country are experiencing unprecedented events, and I hope that through an online format music education can still play a part in giving students the discipline, skill, and joy of playing a musical instrument. If you have a student that is looking to get their first drum set, advance their snare drum playing to be competitive for All-State or college auditions, or is looking for a focus to keep them productive, I am offering online lessons in the hopes that I can pass on my knowledge and experience to students.