Highlands Ranch Harpistry
Music and Learning Styles - Teaching Pedagogy
Music and Community Service
My approach to teaching includes activities to support all learning styles. Proper hand placement and technique are developed early. Students will have visual, auditory, and tactical learning exercises in each lesson. Students enjoy "boardwork" writing on the dry erase board for various music theory exercises, just as as much as a hands on improvisation exercises exploring harmonic and dissonant chords.
Focus on reading music and developing strong sight-reading skills are framed within each lesson plan. Addtional homework may be assigned in additional readings, YouTube videos, and music theory workbook. Additional assignments will take no longer than 10 minutes to complete in addition to thier required 15-20 minutes of daily harp practicing. Assignments are designed to be fun and inspiring.
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Students may expand their harp learning by attending Harp Camp. This experience can be either weekend retreat or a local day camp. Camp sessions include: Music History, Performance Skills, Ensembles, Composition, and of course, Crafts!
Music and Leadership
As students progress, I will provide them with opportunities to develop leadership skills within the studio and their performance groups.
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Students may earn the position of First Chair, Section Leader, and eventually move up into a rehearsal chair or conductor position.
Students develop strong communication and presentation skills through various studio activities and performance opportunities. Students are able to give informative speeches on the harp, provide educational and demonstrative music examples within thier repertoire, and lead community service projects that they have implemented using their harp skills.
Through these activies and experience, my students not only develop leadership skills, but also confidence, poise, and exemplary musicianship.
Highlands Ranch Harpistry's studio tagline is "Music is a gift to be shared." It is part of the studio experience to have students apply their musical skills and leadership to support thier community using their harp.I have had students volunteer to play for school events, senior centers, libraries, fundraisers, church services, and local educational/cultural events. We also collaborate with other harp teachers and their students for joint performances.
I want students to feel a part of something bigger than themselves, and I often have them write about it in a reflection essay or in thier harp journal.
These components allow me to support students in their musical growth and personal development . This experiences provides me content when writing letters of recommendation for Honor Societies, Scholarships , and College Applications
Therapeutic Music and Certified Music Practioner Program
I teach all different kinds of genres to my students ranging from: folk, classical, popular, and sacred. I also perform a variety of styles of music depending on the event.
My personal favorite style of music and repertoire is therapeutic in nature. There isn't such a thing as "therapeutic" music as any music can be performed in a therapeutic nature. I enjoy playing mediative/reflective music (think spa-like)
Harpists can now study through therapeutic music programs in order to become certified to play in hospitals, hospices, and other care facilities. A therapeutic musician can play any instrument and must NOT be confused with the role and responsibilities of a music therapist. These are two different occupations with different purposes.
I am currently pursuing my Music Practitioner certification with Dee Sweeney who is an executive member of the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Music.