Teaching philosophy

As a teacher, I aim to inspire students to think historically about music and provide a model for students to engage critically with music and contexts with which they may be unfamiliar. To achieve these goals, I emphasize student-centered learning and inclusive pedagogical techniques designed to serve a diverse array of learners.

With years of experience teaching students of all levels and genres, I have developed a flexible curriculum that allows students to follow their musical impulses while reserving space for me to introduce music and ideas beyond their current experiences. I have arranged songs from various genres as vehicles to teach classical guitar technique, and I have used classical music as a starting point to build an adaptable technique that allows students to explore genres as broad as jazz, rock, samba, mariachi, and pop. I believe that a wide-ranging exposure to discrete ways of studying the guitar breeds outstanding musicianship, even with students who ultimately wish to remain focused on one genre.

While I teach several styles, I specialize in classical guitar instruction to students of all ages and skill levels and have prepared many students for successful auditions at universities like SUNY Fredonia, Roberts-Wesleyan University, Belmont University, and the Manhattan School of Music Pre-College.

Developing culturally varied curricula and incorporating inclusive pedagogical methods creates a profound and nuanced educational experience, to which I remain committed. Education, at its best, should broaden students’ thinking in ways that instill a deep respect for diverse perspectives that seek to challenge hegemonic models of knowledge, musical or otherwise.

Please reach out under the “Contact” tab to inquire about private lessons.