VISION
I see every music student in America having the opportunity to fully develop their musical aptitude. As a Dalcroze Eurhythmics teacher I know that movement, vocal expression, and various forms of improvisation all contribute to developing ones musical "voice". In these times of burgeoning use of technology, I believe that using computers is vital to a complete music education.
I see every music education experience in the United States including the development of an additional musical voice through the use of MIDI composition. We can all develop a singing voice, an instrumental voice, and a speaking voice. Each one provides the opportunity to express ideas and emotions. The MIDI voice taps into the musical thinking of the students allowing them to express their composition ideas. The added feature of having music played back instantly is something that gives students a chance to expand their ability to hear and process music notation.
The MIDI experience would not be limited to sequencing programs, but would include notation programs used as an extension of well taught improvisation and organized music theory programs. The role of pencil and paper writing would not be displaced, but enhanced through the use of these computer programs.
MISSION
My mission is to teach MIDI composition to teachers and students in all different music education settings, helping the medium gain respect and connecting it to the highest-level artist teachers. When done with clear and musical intentions MIDI is not a short cut to generating notes, but a voice that is a component to learning to hear and create music. I will approach each situation as a unique opportunity to truly understand the needs of the program, teachers, and students involved. MIDI is another choice, not less vital than any other choice in music education.
I will meet with private studio music teachers, community music school teachers, precollege, preconservatory, and preparatory music school teachers, public and independent school teachers, and college, university, and conservatory instructors and professors. I will work with them to coordinate their teaching and curriculum ideas with a well-designed MIDI composition curriculum, taking into consideration the level of the students and the technology available to them.
QUALIFICATIONS
Teaching Experience
Carnegie-Mellon University:
Currently on faculty of Dalcroze Summer Program teaching piano
improvisation and Dalcroze pedagogy.Currently on faculty of Pre College Summer Music Program where high school music students study voice or an instrument and a full complement of college level music classes. I teach Dalcroze Eurhythmics to all of the full time students in the program.
JCC on the Palisades/Thurnauer School of Music:
- Currently on faculty teaching Dalcroze Eurhythmics for students ages 2
to 9 years, including Musicianship Classes for Music Discovery Program in Englewood
Schools. - Also teaching private piano lessons to students ages 4 years and up and Piano Partners classes for 4 and 5 year olds - an introduction to music study.
- Initiating an Artistry Through Technology program with Sibelius 4 music software.
Dalcroze Program at Lucy Moses Community Music School
- Currently Dalcroze Eurhythmics Teacher
Maple Street School - Founding Music Teacher and Music Director 1998 - 2005
Designed, directed, and taught comprehensive music program for all students in this K-8 independent day school.
Program included:
Dalcroze Eurhythmics based listening and rhythmic movement training. MIDI Composition – using Sibelius notation software and participating in The Vermont MIDI Project where students had music compositions regularly chosen for live performance through the Opus concert series. Multicultural Music – both appreciation and performing components. Performance of songs and drumming activities coordinated with class curriculum. Work with Hafiz Shabazz, Master Drummer and Ethnomusicologist from Dartmouth College was a regular part of the program. Orff Instruments – accompanying songs, improvising music for stories and using scales and rhythm patterns, and work on compositions. Recorder Playing from Grade 3 through 6, including ensembles with up to 6 different sizes of recorders: garklein, soprano, and tenor – all C recorders – and sopraninos, alto, and bass – all F recorders. Students in Grade 6 learned Medieval music each year for their banquet. Singing/choral singing for all students. Healthy singing always promoted through the use of head voice and proper note range for age group.
Education
Degrees:
- Masters of Music in Piano Performance – University of Wisconsin- Madison
- Bachelors of Fine Arts in Music, Piano Performance – Carnegie-Mellon University
Certifications:
- License (Full Certificate) in Dalcroze Eurhythmics – Carnegie-Mellon University
- Certificate in Dalcroze Eurhythmics – Ithaca College
- Elementary Certificate in Dalcroze Eurhythmics – Carnegie-Mellon University
Other:
- Voice Lessons – Lise Messier, Co-Artistic Director – Opera Theater of Weston
- African Drumming Lessons – Hafiz Shabazz, Ethnomusicologist and Master Drummer – Dartmouth College
- Piano Pedagogy – Anne Farber – Dalcroze School of Music
