My Background
I have been playing music since I was seven years old. I started out by playing in the children's hand chimes choir at church as well as singing in the children's choir. I then began taking piano lessons at eight years old. After many years of piano lessons, I joined band in sixth grade and began playing flute. I continued playing flute all the way through school and began taking flute lessons at sixteen years old.Â
Once I graduated, I began attending Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tennessee studying to get my Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. During this time, I took flute lessons with Dr. Mary Matthews. Also during my time at Tech, I was a member of the Golden Eagle Marching Band for four years playing both flute and piccolo, as well as a flute player in concert band for three years. I was also one of the original members of the University Flute Organization Quartet, and the Tennessee Tech Flute Choir. As a member of the flute choir, I performed at the Midsouth Flute Convention in March of 2019, and on the virtual National Flute Association Convention in August of 2021. The NFA performance included a world premiere of Crash Out by Nicole Chamberlain. I was also a member of the Tennessee Tech Concert Choir for one year, and a member of the Tennessee Tech Chorale for two years.
I have also taken every opportunity I have had to teach. This includes teaching many band camps including Goodpasture Christian School in 2019, Forrest High School in 2019, 2020, and 2021, as well as Jackson Christian School in 2021. IÂ also volunteered at Cheatham County Central High School in 2018. I did my first semester of residency at Cookeville High School working with David Talbert as my mentor teacher. While there I taught beginner piano classes and multiple band classes. I am currently doing my second semester of residency at Knox Doss Middle School at Drakes Creek in Hendersonville, TN with Phillip Church as my mentor teacher. I am teaching multiple band classes to grades 6-8.
Teaching Philosophy
In my studio I work hard to create a positive encouraging learning environment. I want all of my students to feel safe and feel as though they can achieve anything they want to in and out of music. My students will learn how to respect themselves and others while also learning all of the musical topics covered in lessons.Â
We will cover a wide variety of topics within music theory, music history, and ear training. I work with the students towards this goal by using various books and activities to help the students reach their goal of understanding the topic. In our lessons together, we will also work on creating the best sound possible. I also encourage my students to take classes offered at their school like band, general music, theory, and music history to be able to focus more on the topics covered in lessons and be able to apply them to playing their instruments.
I expect all of my students to be prepared for each lesson and to always be fully honest with me. In return, I will always strive to be the best teacher that I can for my students and be prepared with any materials that may need to be provided for their success. I will always show my students respect just as I expect to receive from them, and I will work to help them to reach any goals they have set for themselves in any way that I can.