Recent Teaching Experience
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Brewster High School Chamber Orchestra
C V Starr Beginning Strings
Chamber Music: Chappaqua Middle School
Chappaqua Young Musician's Festival
Brewster High School Chamber Orchestra
September 2015-Present
Teaches daily chamber orchestra rehearsals, lesson groups, and chamber groups for advanced string students grades 9-12. Curriculum incorporates instrumental technique, ensemble rehearsal techniques, scale studies, etude studies, chamber music literature, music history, and exploration of classical music today. Students engage in discussions, reflect on performance styles, and learn to discuss interpretive decisions based on music scores. Additionally, we rehearse using student leadership roles inspired by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Students engage in twice a year workshops with the Ernst Steifl String Quartet from Caramoor Center for Performing Arts.
C V Starr Beginning Strings
September 2015-Present
Teaches beginning strings technique to fourth and fifth graders through homoegenous lesson groups, grade level orchestras, and Junior Chamber Orchestra. Curriculum includes music reading, audiation, music history, music theory, composition, rehearsal techniques, and practice techniques, and performance of varied repertoire. Fourth graders first learn technique through a modified Suzuki Method while working on basic music literacy away from the instrument. Next, students learn to read music and are assessed using orchestra karate. Fifth graders leave C.V. Starr playing three one octave scales, one two octave scale, sight-reading on all strings, and exploring preparatory shifting exercises. Students go to NYSSMA Solo Festival at levels 1 and 2. Fifth graders participate in High Note Music Festival at Lake Compounce.
Chamber Music: Chappaqua Middle School
January 2014-May 2014
Taught seven chamber groups at Robert E. Middle School (grades 5-8) during a one semester internship under the direction of April Carpenter. Pieces included compositions by Haydn, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Pleyel, and Smetana.
Chappaqua Young Musicians Festival
May 2nd and May 9th, 2015
This annual festival began in 2014 and I joined the planning committee in 2015. The festival aims to provide local music students with an opportunity to perform music for the surrounding community. The festival includes multiple recitals, a performance workshop, and outreach performance opportunities.
Music Appreciation at Atria
Ongoing
This program is geared towards senior citizens with an interest for classical music. Programs include music history lectures, performances by professional musicians, performances by young music students, music reading classes, and conducting classes. Since I initated the program, it has expanded to include an opera program in conjunction with a language program and classical vocal music.
Private Cello Studio Lessons
Ongoing
My current private studio classes include emphasis on technical ease, creativity, practice methods, and musicality. Students keep practice journals detailing planned out practice sessions, content of practice sessions, and questions. The journal acts as a year-round dialogue between student and teacher.
Lessons also include basic theory background, music history, composer appreciation, basic improvisation, and coping with performance anxiety. Students are encouraged to perform once every two months for their parents and local community members.
All students who have chosen to participate in NYSSMA have received a score of 98 or above.