Standardization of School Music Class is Failing Music Education
School music programs are failing young musicians—here’s how global conservatories do it better and what we can do to bring artistry back.
Read MoreThe Dissonance of Social Media
While the original intention may have been networking and connection, musicians now frequently use social media as a way to shamelessly promote themselves, and not necessarily in healthy ways.
Read MoreWhat Kind of Teacher Do I Want to Be?
“I saw what you were doing wrong, and I knew that I could fix it.”
This is the teacher I want to be.
Read MoreKnowing When to Ask for Help
It’s important to ask for help in all areas of life. You’ve got nothing to lose - other than a bruised ego - by telling a student that you don’t know the answer to their question. After all, we can’t all be experts in everything, and seeking out those who have more information can enrich our own knowledge as well as that of our students.
Read MoreThoughts on a Movement
It seems to me that this #MeToo conversation isn't happening because of a latent desire to get revenge or ruin lives. Only by having the conversation, revealing the experiences that people have had, will we progress, making future occurrences less and less frequent, and hopefully non-existent.
Read MoreOn Musical Excellence
It’s not just the notes. It’s not just the rhythms. We educators need to stop allowing our desire to expose students to hard music trump what should be our ultimate goal in a musical education: promoting complete musical excellence at the highest level.
Read MoreEnd-o'-the-Year Reflections, part 2
There will be no more working for the weekend. I will be just as involved in the most unproductive lesson as I will be in the most productive. It doesn’t matter what is coming up later in the evening or what happened this morning, all lessons matter and I will be planned and present for each.
Read MoreEnd-o'-the-Year Reflections, part 1
More than a few times this school year, when faced with looming auditions or limited progress, I’ve had to make a decision about what is best for the student: should I teach them a way to play this thing that they are struggling with in the context of this piece, or should I teach them the technique required to accomplish this thing in all contexts, in all pieces?
Read MoreFinding a Private Music Teacher
When it comes to finding a private music teacher, remember: one year of study with an unqualified teacher will take qualified teacher two years to fix. Most of the time, you’ll see better results, faster, if you seek out the best, most qualified teacher for the student.
Read MoreThe Things I Disclose
All this effort to keep things private is hard work. I have to run every comment and remark through my student-appropriate filter, and consider the potential ramifications of disclosing anything personal
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