LionWhale teachers know that the best way to become a better teacher is to always be a student. We asked LW teachers about their musical and/or educational goals for 2018. Here’s what they told us:
MIKE (percussion, piano, all band instruments):
“One of my goals for this year is to improve on instruments other than percussion. This includes trumpet,saxophone, clarinet, flute and trombone.”
MARGARET (piano, voice):
“For 2018, I have so many goals, musically. Mostly, to improve my overall technique and to promise myself to practice every day both voice and piano. But one more specific goal (along with getting a new voice instructor) is to learn “Sempre Libera” from Verdi’s La Traviata. Teaching myself a song is always something I try to do, and this piece has been a goal of mine for a long time. Learning it on my own will give me the groundwork for more improvement with further instruction.”
ANTHONY (percussion, guitar, all band instruments):
“This new year, I need to dive deeper into my Discomfort Zone. Although repetition and practice makes progress, pushing the envelope and exploring outside the usual routine is essential to growing as a musician and an educator. There’s an overwhelming world of different interests and perspectives, creators and innovators out there — including our students.
“Looking forward to opening up, welcoming new adventures and influences, and channeling them into my own teaching and music making.”
RICH (violin, viola, piano, guitar):
“I haven’t performed with an ensemble for almost a year and it’s been even longer since I played with close friends. It’s sad that this is the case because playing with other musicians is one of my favorite things, so my New Year’s resolution is to play in a duet and assemble a string quartet.”
JENNIFER (piano, voice):
“In 2018, my musical goals include practicing more when I don’t have a deadline. I tend to really amp up my practice, both the quantity and quality of, when I have a performance or some kind of deadline coming up. That’s not how I want my students to be practicing, so it isn’t the way I should either. Additionally, progress as a musician takes much more time and effort than it would if I were to diligently practice with more consistency.
“In the past, I’ve fiddled with instruments other than the piano, and I’d also like to do that more regularly and perhaps even take a lesson or two — maybe from one of our other highly skilled teachers!
“As far as other educational goals, I would like to continue my progress in ASL, and take more classes — if feasible. And, finally, travel to new places. I think experiencing a new place, especially with a different culture, language, or landscape is a wonderful and super-dooper fun way to educate yourself.”
STEVEN (piano):
“2018 is going to be great! Educationally, I resolve to go to Peru and to visit the only US state I’ve never been to: Florida.
“Musically, my big goal is to perform more. Performance is an essential component of the art of music—but it’s also a skill, and one I’ve neglected. Besides, performing is genuinely fun. I love performing with my fellow teachers at our Teacher Recitals (bring your friends).”
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