I am delighted to have this opportunity to share my 30 years plus of teaching experience as a new tutor with the WyzAnt tutoring company. My academic and performing backgrounds complement one another - I have worked with all types of musicians, including Grammy winners Herbie Hancock and YoYo Ma; coached actors such as Samuel L. Jackson during his role as a 'cello playing cop, and performed music with musicians from around the world, as well as having taught music in the Western European tradition.
As an ethnomusicologist I understand music of other cultures and as a pianist/'cellist I have enjoyed adding my vast musical repertoire to that of my students. My greatest hope is to share my varied musical experiences and expertise on both the 'cello and the piano with enthusiastic young people who are eager to learn and to perform. Of course, I pray each one will also "practice"!
I would also like to form an international young peoples' orchestra, that would include ethnic instruments. Since I do believe music to be a healing force and a link to all people, it is with this orchestra we could travel to various schools in the community to perform and reach out to all young people, even if they do not play a musical instrument.
I look forward to teaching those who have a yearning to practice hard yet enjoy the music that has reached out to humanity for many years. It is through you, the young musician, that our communities will be sustained by the great music you will produce from your instrument. My method is not "set in stone" which means for each student my approach is flexible and comfortable according to what you want to do with your music and the goals you have in mind for yourself.
You should have a burning desire to learn an instrument and a commitment to serious practice while still enjoying what you do. I also encourage my students to create their own musical compositions which they will share during recitals that I have at least twice a year.
In the student recitals everyone performs, and I acknowledge hard work and creativity with certificates of commendation. The grand finale of the recital is a tasty reception, afterwards. In the past, I was even able to organize some students to play for a ribbon cutting event which included a visit by that town's mayor! You never know who just may pop up at my recitals and where your playing may take you on your journey through your musical studies with me!
One of my students was so creative that we took one whole afternoon and made a CD of all his original piano compositions. He studied with me from the age of 9 until he turned 17. He told me that he will never forget his time at the piano and I don't think his dog will either! Jacob, his black Lab, dutifully stayed in the room during each lesson and enjoyed Sam's creativity as much as any human did. I wonder to this day just how much the piano music not only changed Sam's life but the dog's life, as well!
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