About
As an adept Private Music Instructor, I have a well-rounded background in lesson planning and refined talents in audition prep and musical theory, which make me an ideal fit for the Private Music Instructor position. Additionally, I am a proven expert in customer service and a consistent collaborator. My previous roles have strengthened my abilities in collaboration and innovation, including a focused attention to detail and accuracy. I am a compassionate, dependable, highly motivated Private Music Instructor with solid foundation, and expertise in classical style of music, and experience in playing clarinet for 44 years, oboe for 30 years, and bassoon for 27 years. I offer exemplary customer service skills and ability to design engaging lessons to promote lasting practice habits. I am approachable and patient. I offer 5+ years of teaching experience in both instrumental and vocal music in the church setting, and in the private instruction settings, and am known for motivating students to achieve their full potential and develop a lifelong passion for music.
I absolutely love performing, teaching, as well as inspiring students to reach their full potential on the instruments of clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, english horn, and bassoon, and helping them develop a true sense of musicianship. My focus is to have my students develop beautiful tone quality, use of proper embouchure, to strive for achievement and perfection of the melodic and technical interpretation of music, performing/playing with passion, and teaching proper care and maintenance of the instrument. My philosophy of teaching is that all students are unique and need a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, and socially. I will assist my students to express themselves and accept themselves for who they are, as well as embrance the differences in others. I will also provide a safe environment where students are encouraged to share their ideas, and to take risks.
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Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
· Find out as much information about the student as possible prior to the first lesson
· Find out what method book the student is currently using
· Determine what the student’s current, comfortable range is on his/her instrument and expand that range
· Determine if the student can play a chromatic scale, and major scales
· Discover if the student has developed any faulty playing habits or techniques and quickly work to get rid of them
· Determine if student’s musical instrument is in good playing condition, or if it could use a tune-up/maintenance
· Determine how well the student sight reads music
· Find out how often the student cleans/swabs his/her instrument
· Find out how adept the student is at properly assembling and disassembling his/her instrument
· Determining if the student’s mouth piece, reeds, or instrument is the quality that is optimal for them, and making recommendations if needed
· Find out if student has and uses a tuner and metronome when practicing
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Experience
PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTOR | 11/2018 to Current
Ken Stanton Music - Marietta, GA
· Incorporate fundamentals of music into lessons to discuss music concepts and theories.
· Teach instrumental and musical training on multiple instruments.
· Collaborate with parents to regarding desired learning outcomes.
· Model proper techniques to rehearse between private lessons.
· Evaluate students to assist in performance preparation.
· Foster creativity, confidence, enthusiasm, good practicing habits.
PRIVATE MUSIC INSTRUCTOR | 01/2011 to 05/2011
Self-employed - Kennesaw, GA
· Aided students in preparations for auditions by helping select pieces and assessing necessary practice time.
· Offered positive encouragement to keep participants motivated.
· Utilized method books and teaching aids to provide instruction.
· Incorporated manipulatives and hands-on activities to consolidate important music concepts.
· Communicated with parents on progress of students.
CHOIR DIRECTOR/INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC DIRECTOR | 06/1992 to 06/1996
Worldwide Church of God - Lenoir, NC
· Chose suitable music for various vocal types and organized rehearsals to ensure performer's readiness.
· Scheduled, planned and coordinated music for church musicians for weekly religious services, and seasonal events.
· Consulted with pastor regarding hymns, special music events.
· Worked with children ages 5-12 and molded teaching methods to align with age and skill level.
· Chose suitable music for vocal types and organized rehearsals to prepare members for performances.
· Rewrote original musical scores in different musical styles by changing tempos, harmonies, and rhythms.
Education and Training
Appalachian State University - Boone, NC | Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders, 08/1995
· Completed college-level coursework in Music Theory, Woodwinds Methods Course, Pedagogy in bassoon, oboe/english horn, and voice, and diction.
· Performed in University Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Woodwind Quintet, and Bassoon Ensemble
· Major in Communication Disorders
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute - Hudson, NC Music Performance
· Completed coursework in Music History, Music Theory, Jazz Improvisation, Pedagogy in Voice, Piano, and Clarinet, Conducting, Concert Band performance
· Studied clarinet with Dr. Doug Miller, Dr. Lynn White at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Hudson, NC (09/1982 to 05/1984)
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
· 40.00 for 1 hour, individual lesson if student comes to my studio, or if lesson is provided virtually
· 45.00 for 1 hour, individual lesson if I travel to student’s home
· 20.00 for ½ hour, individual lesson if student comes to my studio, or if lesson is provided virtually
· 25.00 for ½ hour, individual lesson if I travel to student’s home
· 20.00 per person for 1 hour group lesson
How did you get started teaching?
I started off working as a volunteer church worship choir and orchestra director back in 1992 and continued this position until 1996, and then eventually began teaching private music lessons part-time to students of clarinet, bass clarinet, oboe, English horn, and bassoon at Ken Stanton Music in 2018. I have also worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist for the past 25 years, teaching children and adults how to develop, improve, and enhance their communication skills.
What types of students have you worked with?
My students to date have included an adult oboist, two middle school bass clarinetists, one high school bass clarinetist, four middle school clarinetists, one middle school oboist, and two high school bassoonists.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Working with a middle school clarinetist, a middle school bass clarinetist, and a high school bassoonist, and seeing two of these students audition for, and make District Honor’s Band, and one of these students audition for, and make All-State Band in the state of Georgia.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
· Look for a teacher with a good reputation
· Determine if the teacher practices what he preaches
· Be willing to accept constructive criticism that is not demeaning or overly critical
· Stick with a teacher who gives you honest praise on your accomplishments
· Stick with a teacher who is kind, giving, provides encouragement, and has your best interest in mind
· Stick with a teacher who pushes you to be better than you currently are, and who genuinely wants to help you achieve your ultimate goals as a musician
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
· Am I really practicing my assigned music enough so that I am seeing a dramatic improvement in my playing ability between lessons?
· Am I using a metronome and tuner during my practice sessions?
· Am I practicing my difficult passages of music at a tempo that is slow enough to prevent me from making any mistakes, and gradually increasing the speed of the tempo as I progress?
· Can I play this difficult passage of music well at a fast rate of speed if I can’t even play it accurately and consistently at a slower rate of speed?
· If I am constantly canceling my lessons, or arriving late to my lessons, am I truly making progress, or getting my money’s worth?
· If I cancel my lesson without giving my teacher at least a 24 hour notice in advance, is that fair to the teacher who could have filled my spot with a student who would have been there for a lesson?