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Whitney Wasden Piano Studio
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My Music Teaching Philosophy If there’s one thing in the world that all people can understand, it’s music. Sounds and melodies stay with us over centuries. Folk songs and rhythmic dances have been a part of cultures from the beginning of time. There’s not one person who can be identified as the inventor of music because it’s just so vital to all human life. In our day, music continues to be present everyday and everywhere. From the second you turn on your car with the radio blasting to the lullaby sung to a sleeping baby, music seeps into every part of life. With all this music constantly surrounding us, it’s easy to only listen. However the true joy and deepest enjoyment of music comes from being able to produce your own beautiful melodies. When you can reach out with a song or a piece and you share a part of yourself through the music with an audience, this is the moment that music truly becomes another language of the heart. Once you’ve experienced this, you will always see music in a new light and want to share it more and more. As I've pursued my degree, I have found another way to share this language of the heart—teaching. So much excitement and joy comes from teaching piano to children or adults. Watching them find the beauty of each piece brings a thrill. Seeing their interest in the instrument thrive lets me experience my own eagerness to practice as a little child again. Coaching them along and helping them through rough parts reminds me of all the obstacles I have practiced through and the accomplishments I’ve made over so many years. Now, there are some people who detest practicing and playing an instrument. Everyone is different and has different talents so of course not all people who learn music are going to continue playing or singing throughout their life. However even just having the opportunity to learn any type of music helps children. Two years ago I did my huge senior project all about the benefits of having music in a child’s life. From an infant to a high school student, testing and research has shown that music enhances learning abilities, helps develop concentration, aids them to score higher on testing, and improves reading skill. With all of these scientific findings now supporting music teachers, who would not give their children any possible opportunity to play an instrument? Research has also shown that the musical part of the brain is alive and affected from the moment you’re born till when you die. Music is such an amazing language that everyone in the world can hear and instantly understand. It’s a special opportunity to get to teach adults who have lived their whole life without playing any instruments or singing but have realized they really have missed out on the musical parts of life. Someday if I have the chance I would like to find a way to open music up for more kids to try. If I could share this gift with those who lack the means and opportunities to, I think I’d be repaying my teachers for all the time and patience they’ve put into teaching me. There are so many areas of music that are important to be taught: sight reading, ear training, technique, and artistry… the list goes on and on. However I think an enthusiasm for music is the best gift a teacher can give to a student. When this quality is instilled in a child’s heart, they will appreciate all types of music throughout their entire lives. Whether they live out their love of music at punk rock band concerts, attend classical symphony and orchestra recitals, or even a piano student in college, that gift of loving music will be one they treasure their entire life. They will always value good music and the work musicians put into their skills. For me, music colors every part of my life. There is so much I can say without words when I sit at a piano, playing away all my cares in the world. With so much to still learn in life, one of my main goals has been set for years. I want to be an amazing piano teacher. One who inspires, loves, cares, laughs, creates new worlds to find in music, and encourages students to be their best. And although the recognitions or honors will probably never come, if I can help children develop their love of music I think I will have done something wonderful with my life and the opportunities I have been given. |
"Music expresses that which cannot be said, and on which it is impossible to be silent." ~Victor Hugo |
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