While attending Metro State University of Denver I was a music major without the luxury of having a background in classical music. This might prevent others, but I had my heart set on becoming a musician and composer. This, of course, meant I had to work twice as hard if not more than my fellow students as I did not have the training early in my life. My first year I struggled in Theory Lab (ear training) but excelled in Music Theory. I found a joy in studying the works of composers from our past and I found myself studying music theory on my free time and away from school. By the time I made it into Music Theory II I had already learned everything I would learn through the remaining theory classes (Theory III and Theory IV). As mentioned above, I struggled with Theory Lab but instead of walking away and looking for a new dream I fought with everything I had to gain these skills. I found ways that worked well for me and I spent as much time as needed to rise above and perform up to the school's standard. After I finished those classes I was eligible to become a music theory tutor because I had passed seven of the eight classes (four music theory classes and four theory lab classes) with either an A or a B. After I became a tutor at Metro State, I noticed I was quite good at helping other students. Most of the students I had as a tutor requested me throughout their sequence of theory and lab classes. In addition, I was recommended to the dean of the Arts and Letter department at Metro to tutor her daughter for a college entrance exam. I was selected for the progress my students made. The best quality I have as a student and as tutor is my drive to get where I want to go, and the understanding of what it takes to get there. When I teach music theory, ear training, piano or any other instrument, I expect hard work from the student and supply students with new ways to think about music, and new ways to approach music.
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