Teaching Philosophy
As a flute teacher, I encourage my students to play with love. Finding the balance between physical technique and musicianship is something that students can struggle with. In order to master the flute, students need to be technically proficient, but to make music, students must be inspired. My students will be given the tools to be a great flutist both in my studio and later on in their careers. By focusing on fundamentals, technique, tone, and musicality, my students will be able to interpret and create music both in a practice room alone and on stage.
I want flute playing to be challenging and exciting for my students. Lessons will be focused on deciphering music from all genres, decades, and composers. It is important that my students have a rounded repertoire of flute standards and excerpts. I believe that there are so many wonderful living composers that deserve their music to be heard. As a woman in the music industry, it is my job to ensure that my students have a great appreciation for music composed by all races and genders.
My goal as a teacher is to be a role model and positive influence on all of my students. My students will learn that I am a human and student just like them. As musicians, we are constantly learning, changing, and growing. I want my students to feel comfortable expressing concerns, frustrations, and blocks in their musicality to me, so that we can work through these challenges. Music is an outlet for people of all ages, genders, races, and talent levels. My goal is to help students fall in love with the flute and music as a whole and find their unique, individual voice as a flutist.
Diversity Statement
As a flutist, I believe that in order to be a good musician, you must be a good person first. I encourage all of my students to find their own voice, not only in music, but in society as well. To speak up for themselves. To speak up for injustice. To speak up for what they believe in. The world needs more young people to fight for what is right. I want my students to be strong, independent, and curious.
As a female in the classical world, I want to empower my female students. The classical industry is extremely male-dominated. All major orchestras have performed works by Beethoven, Mozart, and Brahms. What orchestra is playing works by female composers? Who is playing Amy Beach, Florence Price, or Germaine Tailleferre? I want my students to have strong female role models that they can look up to while performing. I want my female students to be paid just as much as the male sitting beside them in the orchestra. I want them to be advocates for change, and know that I am right beside them, fighting along.
As a teacher, I want my students to know they are safe in my studio. All ages, genders, races, and proficiencies. I want to be a role model for them to find their own individual voice and be the best flutist and musician that they can be. Music does not care how old you are or what you look like. It is a universal language that can connect all people. I want my students to become rounded musicians and have repertoire of composers of all races and genders. I want them to be able to play a piece by a composer who looks just like them. To have an image that anyone can be a great musician, it is about talent and determination; not age or race.