Dr. Hughes' Teaching Philosophy
As a
music teacher, I strive to:
- create a climate in which my students can experience continuous musical, intellectual, and emotional growth
- foster the growth of my students in such a way that they become independent learners
I believe the following:
- A positive learning environment is vital. Feedback must come often and be constructive.
- Realizing that development takes time, students must be encouraged to see the "big picture" objectively.
- Clear structure and shared decision-making are significant to the learning process.
- In the private piano studio, it is important to go beyond building repertoire--emphasis on technical studies and on applying music theory, music history and pedagogy to performance is necessary.
- The use of humor in the learning environment helps students relax and makes the learning process more enjoyable and more effective. The joy of music-making is an important component of every lesson.
I base all of my teaching on personal experience as a performer and musician; therefore, I am an active performer and feel that this is a very important component of my teaching. In summary, my strengths as a teacher include enthusiasm for and knowledge of the subject, clarity, fairness, organization, and genuine interest in my students. I feel that teaching is a highly honorable profession, and I am privileged to be involved in this noble pursuit.
