James F.

I taught my first private lesson when I was seventeen years old. I fell in love with teaching immediately. Over the next five years, my teaching experience included small groups of 6th-8th graders, assisting in classrooms of 1st to 4th graders, and teaching privately at a music school, or at student’s homes. I also briefly conducted my high school band both in rehearsals and on stage. Regarding teaching style and philosophy, I approach it the same way I approach music and art– something like a conduit or a conductor, as in electricity. My goal is resonance. As a teacher, I consider myself to be a role model, an example, a good influence. Not necessarily in the sense that I want my students to be like me, but rather I’d like to be what my students want to be. Therefore, I must understand what every individual students wants and needs both out of every individual lesson and as a student long-term. Are you here to have fun? Let’s play Disney duets. Are you here to become first chair in your symphony? I was first chair in my symphony. Are you here to explore the art of sound? I do that everyday. Are you auditioning for colleges? When I was auditioning for colleges... Do you like to write music? I do! Have you had a rough day and actually just need to talk? I’m all ears. Do you need to run a lap before we start our scales? I actually don’t like running but we can make that happen for you. That’s me.