Piano with Jessica G.

With 13 years of secondary teaching experience, both in a charter public, and private school setting, I am confident in my ability to become an asset to your student's individual educational needs! A graduate of Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa (2003), I graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education with emphasis in both vocal performance and flute. I am incredibly active in several music professional organizations including FBA, FMEA/FSMA, MENC, IBA, and IAAE, as well as being an alum of Mu Phi Epsilon, a National Honorary Music Fraternity. I was honored to be nominated each year while teaching at Ainger for the Charlotte County Teacher of the Year and was selected as the 2004 Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for Charlotte County. This honor comes from student nominations that are sent in and was awarded $1000 to purchase supplies for my program. Professionally, I have served as the Florida Bandmasters Association District 16 Secretary (Middle School), as well as the District 15 Secretary and later Chairperson in addition to being a member of the the the FBA State Executive Board and Broward Music Educators Association. (BMEA) Executive Board. I was also the Guest Conductor for the 2008 Superintendent's Middle School Honor Chorus in Miami-Dade. I currently serve as the Broward County Band Directors Association Co-Chair and am a State Adjudicator in both Jazz and Solo and Ensemble as well as my work with various area schools as a guest clinician. I have performed with the Des Moines Metro Opera, Ingersoll Children's and Dinner Theatres, Drama Workshop, Des Moines Playhouse, Oster Regent Theatre and was selected by the Donna Reed Foundation in 1998 as the Top Iowa Vocalist. I studied flute with Ms. Karrie Tate and voice with Dr. Les Hale, Dr. Robert L. Larsen, Dr. Maria DiPalma and Ms. Jacqueline Thompson. I believe that every student, regardless of ability or age, can grow musically. My purpose is to enrich and challenge students by helping them discover the special meaning that exists only in creating, re-creating, and experiencing music. In this way, I hope to inspire and motivate your child to achieve their fullest potential in music. *** Lesson Details *** I am here to provide students a comprehensive, balanced education in instrumental and vocal music. Through the study of music, students develop intellectually, physically, emotionally and socially. Intellectual growth is enhanced through the student's ever-increasing knowledge of musical concepts; its unique notation system, terminology, styles, historical eras, and historical figures. Physically, students must adapt to the many challenges of learning an instrument and transforming symbols into sound. Students also develop a sense of leadership through learning to work side-by-side with others in a group setting. Perhaps the most unique and essential element making music education so special, however, is that it provides students the opportunity to develop aesthetically. Aesthetic education helps a student develop his/her own natural responsiveness to the power of music. Through studying, creating and experiencing quality music, the student becomes more attuned to his/her individual expressiveness. Simply put, music educates the whole child-mind, body and heart. I believe there is no more powerful a way for my students to explore and understand what it means to be human in all its many facets than through the creation and experience of music. My personal goal as a music educator is always to increase my students abilities to perceive, experience, and react to the expressive qualities of music by providing students personally fulfilling and meaningful opportunities for musical experiences. Vocal Students: Vocal students will receive proper instruction in breathing, articulation, phonation, vocal health, various vocalizes, as well as other aspects of proper vocal technique in addition to extensive repertoire. Piano Students: Piano students will receive proper instruction in posture, hand position, music theory, scales and finger exercises as well as harmonization and transposition in addition to extensive repertoire. Woodwind students: Woodwind students will receive proper instruction with attention to music theory, embouchure, correct posture and playing positions, maintenance and care of their instruments, breathing, intonation, articulation, various warm-up techniques and tone in addition to extensive repertoire. *** Studio Equipment *** 2nd floor condo, keyboard, seating for parents, *** Specialties *** I have utilized Essential Elements 2000 as well as Rubank Advanced Volumes as well as various All-State etude method books....Focus is on correct warming up and technique ie (Flute-Taffanel, Hughes, Filas, etc.) as well as solo/literature. Many things have been passed down to me from my own previous mentors/teachers including Karrie Tate on Flute, and Les Hale, Maria DiPalma and Maestro Robert L. Larsen in voice.