Teaching Philosophy

As a teacher of a studio consisting of students of different ages, skill levels, and commitment to the instrument, I strive to create a curriculum for each student that is unique to them and will allow students to push themselves, achieve their goals, and grow a passion for trumpet pedagogy, literature, and performance. I understand that every student is different and therefore cannot all be taught the same way. It is important to hear the student’s goals, work with them to create a plan to achieve these goals and keep them on track during their time studying with me through positive reinforcement, organization, and building good habits. My ultimate goal is for my students to become their own teachers, using skills they have acquired to achieve any goal.

Promoting diversity is essential to every student’s education, and I believe that music written by historically underrepresented composers needs to become part of the trumpet player’s standard repertoire starting from the very beginning of the musical journey. This includes performing solos written by and listening to performances given by historically marginalized composers and performers. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to perform music from their own community, as this is equally important as learning music from the standard repertoire.

In addition to providing my students with a solid technical foundation, I also strive to teach my students the importance of maintaining good mental health and emotional well-being as a musician. We are musicians, but first and foremost we are humans, and it is important that my students that they are treated as such, whether it means needing academic mentoring or a safe space to talk. My job as a teacher is to cultivate a love for music education and performance for the next generation, and this comes from ensuring that each student receives a positive educational experience that pushes them outside their comfort zone and wants to do their best, whether they would like to pursue music as a career or a hobby in the future.