Teaching Philosophy
As a pianist, music comes first to me. As a teacher, students come first to me.
My mission in teaching is to nurture my students so that they develop work ethic and a life-long love for music. I take full advantage of my one-on-one time with each student to create a customized assignment that makes the whole practice routine engaging without overwhelming or boring (see Practice Guidelines for more info). I keep in mind each student's developmental stage, including cognitive, emotional, and physical readiness to tailor their experience. For PreK-12th Grade students, the parents and I work toward a mutually agreeable goal for their children to achieve in their music education. For college and other adult students, I work with their personal goals to help them create the kind of musical experiences they desire.
Goals for ALL Students
I emphasize building a strong music foundation first. This means, I first make sure students can master rhythmic accuracy, note-reading, sight reading, proper hand position, and fundamental muscle movement before I spend much time on advanced technique or sophisticated artistry of piano playing. A solid music foundation is also useful for students to master other instruments if they choose to learn another. Once I lay the foundation, advanced technique and artistry then become very important.
I would like all my students to become independent readers who can successfully teach themselves late intermediate-level pieces. They should also be able to sight read/sight play intermediate level pieces fluently--i.e., the ability to fluidly play music that they have never seen before. Acquiring some aural awareness to discern the difference between beautiful vs. not-so-beautiful tone, and between musical vs. not-so-musical playing, are also very important. In summary, a solid foundation for sight reading and technique, an aural skill to appreciate different qualities of sound, making music with feelings and meanings, and attaining the highest achievement desired by students while maintaining wellness, are my ultimate goals for all of my students.
Specific Goals for PreK-12th Grade Students: Educating the Whole Person
I teach young students self-monitoring skills by guiding them to become more mindful, intentional, self-aware, and conscientious during the course of their learning. Having the ability to self-correct and to be fully aware of what is learned and experienced, will only ensure a successful, independent learner.
I instill in young students a sense of ownership and responsibility for their practice. While parents need to sit with young students to help them practice, older children are trained to develop the independence to practice and complete their assignment on their own. (However, parents do need to ensure there is time in their family schedule for piano practice among other activities.) Parents are always welcome and encouraged to sit with their child to help with the details of the practice assignment if they can create a positive experience for both themselves and the child. However, it is not required EXCEPT for parents of young children, such as those under 7 or 8 years of age or those lacking the independent skill to effectively follow instructions at home.
Competitions are not for everybody and not everyone likes to perform. If students don't have enough interest in performing, aren't self-motivated to achieve greatly in piano, I won't be the right match for parents who would like to groom their children to be competition winners or performers. However, if students are naturally inclined to perform, achievement-oriented or intrinsically thrive on competitions, I absolutely support their desires and develop their full potentials to help them reach their highest achievement possible, AS LONG AS their primary drive is for the love of music making, and not about winning or passing some certification tests. I would even refer students to more suitable teachers or local university professors if it's in their best interest.
Specific Goals for College and Other Adult Students
The advantage of being an adult is that you have more control over what you would like your musical experiences to be. Depending on how much time you have for piano practice and what your skill level is, we will come up with a plan together to help you reach your musical goals.
My mission in teaching is to nurture my students so that they develop work ethic and a life-long love for music. I take full advantage of my one-on-one time with each student to create a customized assignment that makes the whole practice routine engaging without overwhelming or boring (see Practice Guidelines for more info). I keep in mind each student's developmental stage, including cognitive, emotional, and physical readiness to tailor their experience. For PreK-12th Grade students, the parents and I work toward a mutually agreeable goal for their children to achieve in their music education. For college and other adult students, I work with their personal goals to help them create the kind of musical experiences they desire.
Goals for ALL Students
I emphasize building a strong music foundation first. This means, I first make sure students can master rhythmic accuracy, note-reading, sight reading, proper hand position, and fundamental muscle movement before I spend much time on advanced technique or sophisticated artistry of piano playing. A solid music foundation is also useful for students to master other instruments if they choose to learn another. Once I lay the foundation, advanced technique and artistry then become very important.
I would like all my students to become independent readers who can successfully teach themselves late intermediate-level pieces. They should also be able to sight read/sight play intermediate level pieces fluently--i.e., the ability to fluidly play music that they have never seen before. Acquiring some aural awareness to discern the difference between beautiful vs. not-so-beautiful tone, and between musical vs. not-so-musical playing, are also very important. In summary, a solid foundation for sight reading and technique, an aural skill to appreciate different qualities of sound, making music with feelings and meanings, and attaining the highest achievement desired by students while maintaining wellness, are my ultimate goals for all of my students.
Specific Goals for PreK-12th Grade Students: Educating the Whole Person
I teach young students self-monitoring skills by guiding them to become more mindful, intentional, self-aware, and conscientious during the course of their learning. Having the ability to self-correct and to be fully aware of what is learned and experienced, will only ensure a successful, independent learner.
I instill in young students a sense of ownership and responsibility for their practice. While parents need to sit with young students to help them practice, older children are trained to develop the independence to practice and complete their assignment on their own. (However, parents do need to ensure there is time in their family schedule for piano practice among other activities.) Parents are always welcome and encouraged to sit with their child to help with the details of the practice assignment if they can create a positive experience for both themselves and the child. However, it is not required EXCEPT for parents of young children, such as those under 7 or 8 years of age or those lacking the independent skill to effectively follow instructions at home.
Competitions are not for everybody and not everyone likes to perform. If students don't have enough interest in performing, aren't self-motivated to achieve greatly in piano, I won't be the right match for parents who would like to groom their children to be competition winners or performers. However, if students are naturally inclined to perform, achievement-oriented or intrinsically thrive on competitions, I absolutely support their desires and develop their full potentials to help them reach their highest achievement possible, AS LONG AS their primary drive is for the love of music making, and not about winning or passing some certification tests. I would even refer students to more suitable teachers or local university professors if it's in their best interest.
Specific Goals for College and Other Adult Students
The advantage of being an adult is that you have more control over what you would like your musical experiences to be. Depending on how much time you have for piano practice and what your skill level is, we will come up with a plan together to help you reach your musical goals.
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