My Teaching Philosophy
• Every brain is unique.
Over my 27 year teaching career I have come to see just how every brain is different. Every student is vastly different from the next. The way they learn, their strengths and weaknesses, the way they perceive the world around them, their priorities, goals and interests, what motivates and encourages them...and so on. When I invite a new student into my business I like to take the time to get to know them and build a rapport. This is just as important as what I actually teach them.
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• Every student deserves a personally tailored program
The programs I teach are personally customised to each individual student. We use combinations of my own materials and other resources depending on each student's needs. We work at whatever pace is needed for success and design goals that work for them.
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• Complete foundation without any gaps
My goal is to give every student a strong foundation of music. While I cater to their specific goals and needs, I never leave any gaps in their musical education. When students receive a good grounding in music as a whole discipline they are set up to achieve whatever they desire later in life.
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• Music and music learning is a joyful experience
It is important to me that music lessons are a joy for every student. I encourage them to remain in close communication with me about what's working and what's not. Fun is a major factor of success. There are no punishments or shaming, only problem solving and being creative with our approach. Having a good belly laugh during lessons is commonplace in my studio!
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• Mistakes are normal and necessary
Research has shown that mistakes are where the most brain plasticity occurs, synapses fire and deep learning happens, even if you are unaware of it. Mistakes literally grow your brain! In the world, performance culture is rife, but in my studio mistakes are a positive sign to be met with acceptance and resolve.
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• Practice and time on your instrument at home are vital.
Discipline is an important element of learning a musical instrument and so while I am understanding of full schedules and busy lives, it is a requirement that students practice consistently between lessons. To get the most out of music lessons you need to be investing a minimum of 5 x half hour practice sessions each week. For young beginners, practices may take 15 minutes, and while it may feel not vital that they practice at this age, the opposite is true. For young people to stay motivated and interested they must see progress. And progress will not happen if they only touch their instrument once a week at their lesson. I also don't expect young students to manage their own practice sessions without a caregiver's assistance. This is another vital step to success.