Teaching Philosophy

I endeavor to create a positive environment in my flute studio. It is my goal as a teacher to inspire enthusiastic learning, creativity, and a passion for flute playing. My most fundamental flute teaching philosophy is that every student is a unique individual with different strengths and weaknesses. It is my job as an educator to help the student identify those strengths and weaknesses, and to help them use their strengths to their best advantage while finding ways to build up their weaknesses. Additionally, every student has a unique set of goals. My role as the flute teacher is to be flexible and design a plan of study that best suits their ultimate goals. A one-size-fits-all approach does not work in the flute studio.

In my flute teaching, I stress a strong basis in fundamentals. Production of tone quality, good articulation and technique, and healthy posture are fundamental qualities that I work to ensure my students possess. I also believe that comprehensive musicianship is essential. Whenever possible, I incorporate elements of music theory and history into flute lessons. Creating a well-rounded musician, not just a person who can play flute well, is a primary goal of my pedagogy. The flute is merely the tool for expression, and not the end goal in and of itself.

By the time a flute student has completed their studies with me, it is my aim that they can go on to become their own best teacher. For this reason, it is extremely important to me that I do not give students all the answers when I teach. Instead, I like to use questioning so that students become more inquisitive and critical in their thinking. I believe that it does not make sense to hold students to different expectations because of their particular major or goal. Regardless of a student’s major, my expectation is that each student strive for their own personal highest level of achievement.

I make sure to connect with students on a personal level and show that I care about their wellbeing. When this connection happens, my students are more at ease to learn and achieve their best. Many of the students I teach will not go on to perform flute professionally or teach music professionally, but I do not believe that it was a waste of time teaching these students. If, during lessons, these students were able to figure out in some way how to make their best life and how music fits into that life, then I have done my job well.