Teaching Philosophy

As a performer and educator, I believe music transcends and transforms. It can lift us out of everyday life, offering us unique experiences of flow and joy. I also believe that music has a grounded role in everyday life - that everyone can develop and improve musical skills to craft art that impacts their lives, communities, and the world. In every class and lesson I teach, I incorporate and contextualize the music students love and listen to every day. I deploy culturally and emotionally relevant teaching methods to enhance learning, connecting to students interests and goals consistently. I believe when students are able to understand and create the music they are deeply interested in, they are able to carve a path toward fulfilling lifetimes (and/or careers) of musical joy.

Beginning a Music Career (Clark University, MUSC133)

In 2021, I designed & piloted “Beginning a Music Career”, a 100-level Problems of Practice (PoP) course at Clark University. The course shepherds music majors and entrepreneurial non-majors through a 14-week journey of self-discovery, goal-setting, and career-visioning. Written reflections, in-depth class discussions, reading, and visits from successful musicians and music industry professionals encourage students to imagine and design futures in music they weren’t previously aware were possible. The course culminates with students completing recordings and professional portfolios to kickstart their careers in performance, music management, curation, and photography. This course is funded in part by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

The Spring 2025 cohort organized, marketed, and performed a sold-out concert at the Clark University thrift store.