MUSIC EDUCATION

I have spent more than 29 years teaching music while remaining actively engaged in professional music-making.


My work as an educator spans individual instruction, secondary education, higher education, workshops, ensembles, creative programs and professional artist development.


I teach:

  • Voice and Vocal Performance
  • Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Piano and Keyboard
  • Drums
  • Songwriting and Composition
  • Music Theory and Musicianship
  • Contemporary Performance
  • Band Coaching and Ensemble Development
  • Music Production and Recording
  • Artist Development


My approach combines structured musicianship with practical creative experience. Students learn technique and theory, but they also learn how to listen, rehearse, collaborate, write, arrange, record, perform and make independent artistic decisions.


Teaching Experience


Higher Education

I have taught music and production as faculty in academic environments while connecting curriculum to contemporary professional practice. My work has included music theory, composition, songwriting, performance, production, studio workflow and artist development. The objective was not simply to teach students how individual tools or concepts work, but to help them understand how those skills function together in the creation of finished professional music.


Individualized Music Education

I have worked extensively within individualized educational environments. This required adapting my instruction style to each student’s abilities, interests, learning style and goals while maintaining clear academic structure and measurable progress. Those experiences continue to inform my teaching today, as I do not believe every musician should learn through the same sequence, repertoire or creative process. Strong pedagogy provides structure while leaving enough flexibility for individual musicianship to blossom and flourish.


Contemporary Music Education


Connecting Musicianship With the Music Students Actually Make

Contemporary music education works best when students can understand the connection between foundational skills and the music that matters to them. A lesson in rhythm may become a band rehearsal. Harmony may become songwriting. Ear training may become production. Performance technique may become preparation for a show or a recording session. Music theory becomes considerably more useful when students can immediately hear, perform and create with it, rather than it being laborious filler homework. My professional experience in songwriting, recording, touring and production allows me to make those connections directly.


Multi-Instrumental Instruction


My primary instruments are:

  • Voice
  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Piano
  • Drums


Being a multi-instrumentalist is particularly useful when teaching contemporary music because it allows me to help students understand how musical roles interact. A drummer learns what the bass player needs.

A guitarist learns how arrangement affects the vocalist. A songwriter learns how harmony, rhythm and production change the emotional impact of a song. A band begins to hear itself as an ensemble rather than a collection of individual musicians.


Voice & Contemporary Vocal Performance


My vocal teaching draws on decades of real-world experience as a professional vocalist, recording artist and live performer.


Instruction can include:

  • Vocal performance
  • Pitch and Intonation
  • Lyrics & Vocal Phrasing
  • Rhythm
  • Breath Coordination
  • Interpretation
  • Repertoire Development
  • Stage Presence & Confidence
  • Studio Vocal Performance
  • Songwriting


My goal is to help singers develop both musical control and an individual voice.


Songwriting & Composition Education


I teach songwriting as both a professional craft and a form of artistic development.


Students may work with:

  • Melody
  • Harmony
  • Lyrics
  • Rhythm
  • Song structure
  • Arrangement
  • Production
  • Interpretation
  • Artistic identity


Rather than treating songwriting as a fixed formula (although there are many formulas), I help students understand why musical choices create particular emotional and structural effects on the listener.


Music Production Education


Modern musicians  need to understand and be fluent in both performance and technology.


I have extensive practical experience with Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Cubase and Logic Pro, as well as recording, engineering, editing, mixing, mastering and complete studio workflows.


Production students learn both the technical process and the artistic reasoning behind it, because technology should serve the music, not the other way around.


Band Coaching & Ensemble Development


Playing together requires skills that cannot be learned entirely through individual practice alone.


I coach musicians, bands and artists in:

  • Rehearsal Technique
  • Timing, Groove and Feel
  • Arrangement
  • Dynamics
  • Active Listening
  • Communication
  • Song Structure
  • Performance Preparation
  • Stage Presence
  • Showcase Preparation
  • Recording Preparation


A successful ensemble learns how to do all of this, and more.


Teaching Philosophy


Structure Creates Freedom

My teaching is built around a simple principle: strong musicianship  becomes actionable when it is supported by creative freedom. Students need enough structure to understand what they are doing and enough freedom to discover what they want to say.


I aim to create learning environments that are:

  • Structured
  • Creative
  • Respectful
  • Collaborative
  • Inclusive
  • Challenging
  • Practical
  • Curious


Students should leave a music lesson knowing more than they did when they entered, but they should also want to go make something.


Education

California Institute of the Arts

Master of Fine Arts — Performance & Composition

Focus areas included popular music, experimental music, composition, performance, recording and music technology.

Bachelor of Fine Arts — Musical Arts


Music Education Opportunities


I am always interested in opportunities involving:

  • Docent Muziek / Music Teacher
  • Secondary Music Education
  • Higher Education & Conservatory Teaching
  • Contemporary Music Education
  • Voice Instruction
  • Multi-Instrumental Teaching
  • Music Production Education
  • Songwriting & Composition
  • Band Coaching
  • Artist Development
  • Workshops & Masterclasses
  • Online Music Instruction
  • Curriculum Development


For teaching, faculty, workshops, guest lectures and educational collaboration inquiries: