Music Teacher / Author / Professional Musician
” Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul ” Plato …
About Me :
Teaching Philosophy
Teaching Philosophy / Lesson Plans
Teaching Philosophy
One of my core beliefs as a music teacher is that it is essential to build a relationship between the student and teacher, and to incorporate a growth mindset in the music classroom. It is also of vital importance to be mindful of the cultural backgrounds and beliefs of students, and to encourage each student to embrace the unique opportunities that cultural differences offer.
Fostering inspired learning is another aspect that I believe to be equally important for long term success and growth, not only as a musician, but as a unique, valued & respected global citizen.
Through the music arts we have the opportunity and the obligation to reach the hearts and minds of all, sharing the love and joy that we know, love and experience each and every day.
Lesson Plans
Strings
Lesson Plans for the Elementary School and Middle School Grades.
How to hold the bow.
The Bunny Bow Hold.
Students will learn to how to hold a French style Bow used for violin, viola, cello and bass. Demonstration video shows violin example.
String Crossing exercises
Open string exercises for all string instruments.
String crossings incorporating whole notes, half notes and quarter note rhythmic values. Students will be able to play the above rhythmic values with down and up bow strokes as well as combinations.
How to tune the string instruments
Tuning instructions for beginner strings – introduction to using a digital tuner. Students will be able to bring an instrument into pitch and learn the importance of tuning up, not tuning down, to keep the instrument in tune.
Concert Band
Lesson Plans Middle School and High School Band Grades
Concert Band
Lesson Plans Middle School and High School Band Grades
How to read a band chart
Students will be able to recognise the symbols for key signature, time signature, rests, multi measure rests, articulations, identifying 1st and 2nd time endings and how to play them, as well as recognise and follow coda and DS signs.
Rhythm warm ups
Students will warm up on scale studies specific to the band chart. Rhythms used will be excerpts from the score. As a result students will be able to recognise and play familiar rhythms when seen in the score parts.
Dynamics
Students will learn various types of dynamics eg mp, p, f, mf, fff, etc. Students will learn the importance of dynamics as a soloist and as a section player. As a result students will be able to make informed decisions and be able to play specific dynamics notated in the performance scores.
General Music
Lesson Plans for the Elementary and Middle School Grades
Instrument Families
Can You Find The Beat?
Students will be introduced to various rhythmic values including the whole note, half note, and quarter notes using diagrams and clapping exercises. Students will be able to find and clap the beat when listening to popular songs.
Introduction to Ukulele performance.
Students are introduced to the historic aspects of the ukulele and work toward playing songs incorporating 2 and 3 chord song progressions using the I V and I iv V progressions. Students will be able to play simple chord structures in solo and group performance settings.
Bucket Drumming Basics
Students learn and apply basic rhythm patterns to the bucket drum and play transcriptions of popular music via instructional videos and class activities. Students will be able to play from memory and from notated music basic rhythmic patterns using bucket drums or hand percussion.
Music Technology
Lesson plans for the Middle School and High School Grades
Artist Portfolio
Multi Media Music Project
Students create a multi media project consisting of composed music, short film or slide show and then create a final product video to be saved as in mp4 format. Students will be able to cover all sides of production including making a short film/slideshow, create a digital composition using DAW and convert to a finished file mp4 format.
Composing for Film
Students create a digital composition using digital composition software including various “hits” to be synced with scenes from the film. Students will be able to set the score to film and create a final mp4 product.
Interests
Interests
Performing Interests
I enjoy most styles of music, although my favourite music to perform is jazz and afro cuban music. I also really enjoyed my time on Broadway as a pit musician and as a member of the United Nations Symphony Orchestra.
Instrument Repairs and Restorations
For a number of years I have enjoyed restoring and doing set up work on string instruments with an emphasis on the Double Bass.
Woodwind Repairs and Restorations
Putting new pads on an old King Tenor Saxophone. Breathing life into an old American classic.
Composing for Big Band and Small Ensembles
One of my more recent interests is composing for different size ensembles. I enjoy arranging popular standards as well as composing my own music. I enjoy writing in various genres. Shown here is a Masters project of composing and recording the music and setting it to an existing animation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A. I have an extensive performance background with performances including Broadway NY, international jazz festivals, live radio, movie/television as well as club date residencies. I have taught bass for 15 years and have been teaching in the NY public school system since 2019.
Q. How would you describe a successful music lesson?
A. Seeing students stretching themselves to create or perform music and enjoying the process of participation and commitment to a group or individual setting.
Q. What would you do if one of your students wanted to change instrument half way through the semester?
A. I would let them know that it would not be possible to change mid semester and reiterate to them the importance of their instrument, and how much their section or classmates relies on them to play their part.
Q. Can you describe a situation that would require you to contact a students parent?
A. There could be several. A positive situation may be outlining the upcoming concert series dates, or instrument rental reminder dates etc.
Q. What are your biggest strengths ?
A. Enthusiasm for music, content knowledge, motivation, and a genuine interest in seeing students succeed in the Performing Arts.
A. Knowledgable, cares about the students and the music, informative and makes music fun and rewarding.
