Finding the teacher that fits your student's personality is the most important part of their musical training. I have studied with over fourteen teachers all of whom were wonderful but very different. My goal is to combine a number of their positive teaching techniques into my own Harp Studio.
I have studied the Harp using the Suzuki Method which, simply defined, is studying the music through ear training. We train our students to understand music just as a young baby would learn to understand language. This technique has been proven to provide the greatest opportunity for students to master memorization and performance techniques. I require all of my students to listen to their CD at least once a day for at least 20 minutes. This allows the repetition needed to imbed the pattern of notes in the students head, making it easier to hear the melody while experimenting on the Harp. Every student receives an informative book describing the Suzuki method in greater detail as well as goals that I have as their teacher.
Although ear training is enormously important and a large part of my teaching style, I also think that it is important to learn theory and be able to read music. I teach traditionally to help with sight reading and provide greater motivation for the students to keep studying and learning.
Although performing and my personal study provides fulfillment, there is nothing that can take the place of seeing a student being successful and progressing in music. It is wonderful! If my students learn anything, it is a love of music and a respect for the power that it has.
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