Teaching Philosophy
My ethos in education as an element to create a better world.
Education is one of the most important investments for giving children opportunities for their future. As part of education, music has a relevant place as it fosters values such as respect, teamwork, multiculturalism, creativity, cognitive capacities and social skills that are crucial during a child’s development. Studies have shown that music improves behaviour and learning for children and also adds a positive value within the family environment.
​
I encourage curiosity and inquiry, by practicing and facilitating authentic learning experiences to highlight process over product.
Two Strategies I use to Motivate Children
Prioritizing Fun/Playfulness
When something has a sense of playfulness, it is much more engaging and becomes more alluring for learners. Orchestras and classical music typically project a solemn and serious aspect that make it difficult for young learners to connect to. I like to add “spice” by using humor, acting, dances, and actions to the music performances.
These fun elements make the music more accessible for students and creates a unique and powerful energy to the performance.
Student Empowerment
Student empowerment increases the level of engagement, autonomy and ownership amongst students. Delegating roles such as leading rehearsals, leading tuning and warm-up sessions, playing solos, and even conducting a piece, have significantly increased the commitment and motivation of students involved.
I deeply believe that it is our responsibility to take care of others who are in need, or at least share what we know with others who don't have the same opportunities.
Music can be a powerful element in creating positivity. Music is my hope for creating a better world. Music represents: joy, peace, hope, integration, strength, change and infinite energy. Music expresses the invisible, the ineffable; it is a vibrant form of creativity.
An orchestra is one of the best ways humans can collaborate towards making beauty. It is also a unique instrument for socializing children, creates a sense of belonging, teaches them discipline, and introduces them to passion. The orchestra is a community that teaches and unites people in a variety of ways. When learning music at an orchestra set up children learn not only the musical language, which helps to develop abstract thought and critical thinking, but also values and qualities such as listening skills, coordination, team work, respect, appreciation, self confidence, effort, responsibility, courage, leadership skills, empathy, etc.
As humans we all have these values and qualities that are needed in our life and society. Children with these values impact and improve our societies. It is a social transformation through music. Music teaches and expresses the beauty of life. Many of our social problems all stem from a sense of exclusion. My goal is to bring as many people as we can into our wonderful world of music, the orchestra, the art.