The San Diego Studio of Arts and Letters

Learning happens best when we can make connections between what we're learning and what we already know. So I really try to make material relatable to my students. I understand the importance of presenting information in many different ways to accommodate different learning styles. I also make concepts physically manipulatable. For example, I teach reading music by having students actually move physical representations of various note values around in space. Through years of experience, I have found that the more students play with a concept, the better they are able to retain it, connect it to what they already know, and use it as a preparation for what comes next. In addition, I use a language-learning model with my students when I help them learn music. The same four skills that are necessary to be proficient at a language (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) are also necessary to be a proficient musician. My students learn to read and write and to discern qualities of music they hear, as well as to play/vocalize (depending on instrument). Some people call parts of this approach "theory" and "aural skills". I call it being a good musician. I am a singer currently singing with the San Diego Master Chorale. I conduct the choir and accompany at church as needed, and also play the violin. I teach voice, piano, and violin from my home in the Clairemont area in San Diego (major cross-streets are Balboa and Genesee). Please let me know if you have any questions. I'd love to help you achieve your musical goals! Helping students discover that they can do the things they want to do.