TEACHING

Diversity Statement: First and foremost, I believe the arts are central to the education of young people and to the future of whole, vibrant communities. As an advocate for music education, I have learned how to make a case for the arts as a pathway to creative problem-solving, deeper self-understanding and the development of important social skills through collaboration. I have worked in both urban and rural settings, with many age groups and abilities, and with children with various access barriers to music. I am well-versed in several important music education pedagogies and their relationship to student development. I have programmed and conducted a variety of exciting student concerts and musical events, all requiring understanding and sensitivity to student growth, audience expectations and artistic quality. In alignment with the commitment to serving children with access barriers - either financial, social or geographic - to high quality music programs, I have embraced such opportunities. One example is my work with El Sistema Colorado in the past as a substitute violin/viola teaching artist in the schools, in their after-school program and as a violinist for their conducting students at the summer program in 2018. I also had the thrill of performing with Yo-Yo Ma at Red Rocks with El Sistema Colorado in August 2018. Here are two other examples: I had the opportunity to share music with a large group of underserved children in the course I enrolled in at Longy titled Experiential Education. Another example is, while a graduate student at CU Boulder, I also had the unique opportunity to perform a residency in public schools in the Eagle-Vail valley through the Bravo! Vail Music Festival.  I believe that music has the power to connect us across our diverse backgrounds and to help celebrate and honor our unique differences. I strive to honor and support this belief through my work as a performer, teacher and administrator.