I have been working in after school and summer camps in both administrative and direct service positions for the past 8 years. I am currently working as a teaching artist in the New York City Public Schools for LEAP, Learning through an Expanded Arts Program, Creative Music Programs and Community Works. I hold a Bachelor of Music degree from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Masters degree from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study at New York University. I have a wide range of teaching experience in music, dance and literacy programs to students of all ages from 5 years old to adult. The experience that I have gained has afforded me opportunities to design and implement creative curriculums that build self-esteem and empower students to express themselves in a creative and hands-on way.
As the Program Coordinator of an SES Tutoring Program at the Citizens Advice Bureau in the South Bronx, I was in charge of hiring and training a staff of creative tutors to design engaging and hands-on curriculums to meet the necessary ELA and Math standards while conducting my own tutoring sessions.
Musically, I have been playing drums and percussion for 21 years. My specialty is groove based music intended to make people dance. Styles include hip hop, house, electro, disco, gospel as well as rock and jazz. My approach to the drums involves understanding the intricacies of rhythm and the way that music incites movement. I also play various percussion instruments including congas and djembe and am well versed in many Afro Cuban, African and African derived drumming styles, including salsa and all forms of Cuban rhumba. I am currently playing with several bands, and my performance experience has taken me all over the US and Europe. When combined with my 8 years of experience working with students of all ages from very diverse backgrounds, I have gained the necessary skills that allow me to effectively impart this knowledge accumulated from years of performance experience to students of all levels.
I have developed a comprehensive teaching method that caters to the needs of the individual. With my music lessons, I am dedicated to providing my students with the basics for becoming a well-rounded musician while promoting the exploration of a personal style. As a tutor, I seek to unlock a students potential by guiding them to come up with answers for themselves as opposed to just dictating, hence encouraging deeper understanding of the subject.