Illinois State University
Teaching Reflection 12/24/20
This past weekend marked the end of my first semester teaching at ISU. To be honest, I'm a bit sad that it's over! It has been so wonderful working with these students, both in lessons and as a mentor with the String Project. I have been dreaming of a job like this for years, and could not be more grateful to be in Bloomington-Normal doing this work. This break will be a time for me to focus on my own practicing and preparing for performance projects in 2021, but I am so looking forward to when lessons resume in January!
This past weekend marked the end of my first semester teaching at ISU. To be honest, I'm a bit sad that it's over! It has been so wonderful working with these students, both in lessons and as a mentor with the String Project. I have been dreaming of a job like this for years, and could not be more grateful to be in Bloomington-Normal doing this work. This break will be a time for me to focus on my own practicing and preparing for performance projects in 2021, but I am so looking forward to when lessons resume in January!
Teaching Reflection 10/25/20
My first Popper Day (an ISU tradition now in its 13th year!) was a success! Held virtually, we had approximately 26 students from around the US participate in a variety of events which included physical wellness, technique class, a masterclass, and a streamed concert. It was quite enjoyable to meet and interact with students in a new way, and particularly fun to hear some of them perform in the masterclass. My ISU cellists represented the school admirably in the streamed concert which featured works for 1-2 cellos written by the great 19th Century cellists-composers like Popper, Piatti, Duport, and more. Dr. Adriana Ransom (Popper Day founder) also joined me for a movement of Popper's Suite for Two Cellos to finish out the program. I was honored to keep the tradition alive during this unique year!
My first Popper Day (an ISU tradition now in its 13th year!) was a success! Held virtually, we had approximately 26 students from around the US participate in a variety of events which included physical wellness, technique class, a masterclass, and a streamed concert. It was quite enjoyable to meet and interact with students in a new way, and particularly fun to hear some of them perform in the masterclass. My ISU cellists represented the school admirably in the streamed concert which featured works for 1-2 cellos written by the great 19th Century cellists-composers like Popper, Piatti, Duport, and more. Dr. Adriana Ransom (Popper Day founder) also joined me for a movement of Popper's Suite for Two Cellos to finish out the program. I was honored to keep the tradition alive during this unique year!
Teaching Reflection 9/27/20
It has been a whirlwind six weeks of teaching, settling in, and getting to know my students; and I'm having a blast! This group of students is enthusiastic and immensely supportive of one another. It warms my heart to meet with them twice a week in our studio classes, even over Zoom! It is also an exciting moment in the semester as we transition away from group technique drills and the students are sharing their performances with one another. Whether the student is polishing for performance or sharing a "work-in-progress", the comments from their colleagues are always insightful and constructive. And they are very patient with me when I use them as guinea pigs to demonstrate practice techniques :) I am looking forward to the remainder of this semester!
It has been a whirlwind six weeks of teaching, settling in, and getting to know my students; and I'm having a blast! This group of students is enthusiastic and immensely supportive of one another. It warms my heart to meet with them twice a week in our studio classes, even over Zoom! It is also an exciting moment in the semester as we transition away from group technique drills and the students are sharing their performances with one another. Whether the student is polishing for performance or sharing a "work-in-progress", the comments from their colleagues are always insightful and constructive. And they are very patient with me when I use them as guinea pigs to demonstrate practice techniques :) I am looking forward to the remainder of this semester!
Teaching Reflection 8/30/20
What a delight to hear music in person again! Though the audience was small (only studio members were admitted), it was so invigorating to be in the audience for a live performance. Very proud of my (brand new) student who gave a beautiful masters recital!
What a delight to hear music in person again! Though the audience was small (only studio members were admitted), it was so invigorating to be in the audience for a live performance. Very proud of my (brand new) student who gave a beautiful masters recital!
Illinois Wesleyan University
Teaching Reflection 12/14/20
My first semester at Illinois Wesleyan and IWU Prep just flew by! The semester was compressed due to Covid, so the entire fall was squeezed in before Thanksgiving. But just because I'm not seeing students every week doesn't mean my work is done! I have been in regular contact with my students, discussing repertoire, sharing new books and videos, and checking in on their practice progress. I am so pleased with how my students continue to push themselves even on a semester break. More cello fun to come in January!
My first semester at Illinois Wesleyan and IWU Prep just flew by! The semester was compressed due to Covid, so the entire fall was squeezed in before Thanksgiving. But just because I'm not seeing students every week doesn't mean my work is done! I have been in regular contact with my students, discussing repertoire, sharing new books and videos, and checking in on their practice progress. I am so pleased with how my students continue to push themselves even on a semester break. More cello fun to come in January!
Teaching Reflection 9/26/20
It's hard to believe that I have been in Bloomington for 6 weeks! In some ways I still feel brand new, but in other ways I have slipped right back into my routines. Teaching at Illinois Wesleyan, in both the collegiate and prep programs, is one of the areas where I feel right at home. My collegiate students have been so fun to work with- they are bright and quick and eager, a teacher's dream! The prep students have also been wonderful. I have always felt that teaching students of all ages makes me a better teacher. I am less likely to omit or skim past fundamentals with my college because I am regularly working with beginners, and I am more likely to share the magic of music making with my young students because I am working on such a sophisticated musical level with my more advanced students! Today's big event was the first preparatory program Zoom recital, in which three of my new students played (or played a pre-recorded duet with me). The pure joy and pride on their faces was infectious- I was a very proud teacher!
It's hard to believe that I have been in Bloomington for 6 weeks! In some ways I still feel brand new, but in other ways I have slipped right back into my routines. Teaching at Illinois Wesleyan, in both the collegiate and prep programs, is one of the areas where I feel right at home. My collegiate students have been so fun to work with- they are bright and quick and eager, a teacher's dream! The prep students have also been wonderful. I have always felt that teaching students of all ages makes me a better teacher. I am less likely to omit or skim past fundamentals with my college because I am regularly working with beginners, and I am more likely to share the magic of music making with my young students because I am working on such a sophisticated musical level with my more advanced students! Today's big event was the first preparatory program Zoom recital, in which three of my new students played (or played a pre-recorded duet with me). The pure joy and pride on their faces was infectious- I was a very proud teacher!
