About
I am a composer and pianist with a love for lots of different kinds of music. I really try to help instill that same kind of attitude and excitement in my students. I'm very patient, and I enjoy working with students of all ages.
I am deeply committed to attaining the highest level of craftsmanship that I can, both in my compositional output and in my piano playing. Teaching is extremely satisfying to me because of the chance it gives me to see that same passion for music take root and flourish within my students.
Details
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Student has instrument
Interested musical styles
Photos and videos
Reviews
Russell C.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
One of the first things I try to do when working with a new student is to accurately assess what the student's goals are. What does he/she want out of lessons? What are his/her short-term and long-term goals in music? Does he/she hope to eventually pursue music professionally? What kinds of music interest him/her most?
After getting a sense of what the student's interests are and what he/she hopes to accomplish, I will work individually with the student to select methods books and pieces of music for him/her to use as learning tools and to build his/her repertoire. These materials will change over time as the student progresses.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I currently pursue the Master of Music degree in Intermedia Music Technology at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance. In August 2018, I graduated from Boise State University with the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition.
How did you get started teaching?
I started teaching piano in 2010 because I enjoyed tutoring kids. As I continued and got better as a teacher and as a musician, I also started offering lessons in composition, saxophone, euphonium, and trombone. For a few years, I frequently taught students online via video chat applications such as FaceTime, Google Hangouts, and Skype. I taught domestic and international students that ranged in skill level from beginning to advanced, and which ranged in age from children to middle-aged adults. Within the last couple years, I have narrowed my teaching focus to just piano and composition, thereby offering excellent lessons in just my specialties, rather than just okay lessons in something at which I am less skilled. This has made teaching far more rewarding and enjoyable for me, and my students seem to benefit from it, too.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with students ranging in skill level from beginning to advanced, ranging in age from children to middle-aged adults, and ranging from in-person lessons to lessons online with domestic and international students.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
I would highly recommend listening to recordings of the teacher's compositions and/or playing. While the quality of the teacher's music doesn't always translate into him/her being a good teacher, I think it is extremely important for a student to know what kinds of things the teacher is doing. Often, it leads to increased inspiration and motivation within the student.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Before talking to teachers about their needs, students should consider what their own idiosyncracies are and what they want to accomplish. In other words, if a student is especially prone toward anxiety, talking frankly with the teacher about what triggers that anxiety can help the teacher be more mindful and effective in guiding the student's learning process. Additionally, students should think through what their short-term and long-term goals are within music. If the teacher knows what the student wants to learn or how they want to improve, he/she is more adequately empowered to tailor the lessons to the student's interests.