Corrales, NM ESL Lessons

of 1983 to 1997. I taught private students after school in my classroom while I was a public school teacher, and from my home since 1997. My post-graduate continuing professional education includes Tennessee Arts Academy at Belmont University, Kodaly Pedagogy and Solfege Level 1 (vocal teaching techniques, do-re-mi, ear training), Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children Level 1 certification, Yamaha M.I.E. (Music In Education) Piano Lab certification. My professionalism and expertise are at your service. I will work together with you to insure an enjoyable and informative learning experience.

*** Lesson Details ***
A typical lesson in my studio would begin with a brief question/answer time with the student to learn how their week has gone, and how their music practice is progressing.

For PIANO LESSONS we begin with Technique including scales and dexterity exercises, then we play from the Lesson book and a Recital selection. I typically let the student play through the pieces they have prepared without interruption, then I call attention to corrections that need to be made, I demonstrate the correction, and then ask the student to play the piece again. After that we go over the Theory assignments, and do Ear Training exercises. I am comfortable teaching from a variety of different methods courses. The methods course is chosen according to the student's interest. I never require a piano student to continue using books that are not inspiring. There so many methods courses available, that a student may always be able to have methods books they LOVE.

In my SINGING LESSONS we also begin with a recap of the student's week. Then we continue with Warm Up exercises to prepare the student's voice for the lesson. Then we study Sight Singing and Solfege Singing (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) to increase the student's listening skills. After that the student sings their selections. Like I do in Piano lessons, I listen to the pieces they have prepared without interruption, then I call attention to corrections that need to be made, I demonstrate the correction, and then ask the student to sing the piece again. I am comfortable teaching many styles of vocal music including classical, Broadway, pop, rock, and Christian.

For MUSIC THEORY lessons, the study material is chosen according to the student's interest and age. Topics include notation, chord structure, chord progression, melodic structure, and harmony. I also incorporate Music Listening in the Music Theory lesson in order to learn from the masters in many styles of music. My Music Theory students will also have the opportunity to develop composition and songwriting skills if they desire.

My teaching style is structured and friendly, keeping the student's goals and interests at the forefront. I enjoy motivating students to reach their highest potential.
After 3 to 6 months in my studio my students will see improvement in their musical technique, ear training, music reading, notation, and knowledge. They will be preparing recital pieces for an upcoming performance. I provide two recital opportunities a year: in December, and in May. Most importantly, the student's love and appreciation of music will be growing.

*** Studio Equipment ***
PIANO lessons in Living Room: piano near front entryway, couch, loveseat, over-sized chair, dining room table, open space, end table with chair, parents may sit in on lesson.

SINGING lessons in Recording Studio: keyboard, recording equipment, desk, 2 chairs, music stand, microphone, private room. Parents may wait in adjacent rec room or sit in on lesson.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide lesson books, the students should provide their instrument.

I do have a mobile keyboard to bring for SINGING lessons.

*** Specialties ***
Kodaly Pedagogy and Solfege Level 1

Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children Level 1 certification

Yamaha M.I.E. (Music In Education) Lab certified instructor

rience outside of class.

Hope to talk to you soon!

Mark

logistics, interviewing, and so much more. Critical thinking was an area that I pushed my business students to improve. Other students needed to work on the basics of grammar, reading, and writing, and we had a lot of fun in class, whether going through the interactive lesson or improvising by playing fun games to emphasize thinking on their feet in another language.

The feedback I often received from my Peruvian students, as well as my students in Mexico and the U.S., was that I made learning an enjoyable experience—they wanted to work harder to advance quickly in their classes. All of my students agree that I have a lot of patience and turn even the most challenging lessons into ones of positivity and encouragement. I provide critical feedback in the most constructive of ways that help the students reach conclusions on their own. I enjoy being there to support and guide their experience!

Before I left for Peru, I worked at St Vincent de Paul Village (part of Father Joe's Villages) in downtown San Diego. There I focused on Health Education. I built the Villages' first Health Education department and helped start its innovative Health & Wellness program. As part of these two programs, I taught homeless and low-income adults with and without learning disabilities, as well as children from preschoolers to high school students. Teaching such a wide variety of students how to improve their health while living in sometimes precarious situations without much income or stability pushed me to think creatively and come up with memorable ways to engage the students and help them apply what they had learned in their daily routine.

In high school, I took all AP and college prep classes. I went to a liberal arts college in Virginia where I focused on social studies and biology. I spent a few years training business people in Microsoft Office, Photoshop, InDesign, as well as presentation techniques. In grad school, I specialized in applied anthropology and public health. During that time, I tutored students in web design. In between, I've worked in Communications and Training in international health and development, so I have a lot of experience to bring to teaching.

Basically, I love teaching. I'm enthusiastic yet patient, and I absolutely adore helping kids and adults alike learn. It's such a sense of accomplishment when my students show off their terrific grades. I see the same look in my students’ eyes regardless of age—that pride that shines from within, that exuberant smile, like they can conquer anything. I want my students to keep that pride for a long, long time.

Right now, I'm writing two textbooks to be used in my Spanish classes. I've also written several academic articles published online. I love traveling, cats, and learning!