Purpose - to achieve a high level of musicianship through diligence and creativity.

      Over the course of my career as a music instructor, my approach to education has focused on fulfilling the student’s desire to learn. I would define teaching and learning much as I would define "communication" as a process in which there is a co-creation of meaning between the student and teacher. In order to facilitate this communication I approach every student with the same basic principles. Giving knowledge and facilitating understanding; theory and application; helping and challenging; maintaining rigor and encouraging creative experimentation while promoting balance and fairness. I customize these principles to effectively meet the individual needs of each student.

 Communication is one of the prime elements used to create and perform music. Students come to my class with high expectations and they also possess varying degrees of prior knowledge. Communication skills are imminently beneficial as they are practiced and applied in our daily routine. Quality demonstration and illustration coupled with a genuine enthusiasm for our subject matter is a model for communication.  I encourage my students to tap into their prior knowledge and challenge it against the information presented in class. The student can then use this knowledge as a base on which to build a greater understanding of more complex networks of theory, performance and behavior.

Learning requires a deep understanding of complex ideas and issues. This is achieved when students internalize and actively apply knowledge in a creative and meaningful way. I believe that the students should be able to challenge the course material by applying abstract theories to what they experience in everyday life.

Ideally, this approach should empower the students to articulate ideas and execute working concepts in a meaningful and productive manner. They should then be able to apply these theories to create music.

My role as a teacher includes helping students succeed in the unique culture of higher education. I want the students to be able to personalize their education with an active and disciplined approach to learning. I believe the students will rise to a challenge when quality work is demanded of them. For this reason I encourage critical thinking and the constant improvement of technical facility, aural skills and a creative approach in all of my classes. I believe students are best served when they are actively and rigorously engaged in the pursuit of knowledge.

In order for the learning process to be successful the teacher should inspire the students. In an effort to give students greater ownership of their knowledge and skills I apply interactive and cooperative learning strategies.

As part of my instruction I give valuable examples through a pertinent demonstrational process. Playing for the students offers them the opportunity to grasp the concepts that are being discussed. A lecture in my classroom will also offer tangible assignments that foster both analytical and critical thinking. An example of this technique would be in the form of as transcription. The transcription assignment covers a spectrum of applications that teaches essential techniques for the development of aural, written and practical skills. A teacher who is informative and engaging will have a significant impact on the students learning outcome.

As an educator, musician, composer, arranger and producer I strongly value the diversity of learning styles and the unique perspectives both individually and culturally that my students bring to the classroom. As a result, I strive to provide an environment where students feel comfortable in expressing their needs and opinions and I believe that they will benefit and learn from their contribution.

Teaching provides new challenges and opportunities for my own learning as an instructor and a student. In the evolution of change my experience, knowledge and discipline grows and matures. I am constantly inspired to challenge the standards within the educational arena.