Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is grounded in a student-centered approach that prioritizes agency, curiosity, and artistic ownership. While technical fluency is essential, I believe students develop most fully when they understand themselves as active contributors to the artistic process. In both applied and classroom settings, I serve as a guide and collaborator, helping students cultivate independence, critical listening skills, and a distinct musical voice.

In applied piano instruction, I integrate structured technical development with interpretive inquiry. Students engage in score analysis, historical context, and reflective practice alongside focused work on tone production, voicing, and stylistic nuance. In class piano and pedagogy courses, I emphasize functional keyboard skills, collaborative awareness, and transferable musicianship competencies. Clear learning objectives and measurable performance benchmarks guide instruction while encouraging artistic exploration.

My pedagogical research explores the relationship between emotional understanding and musical expression. Supported by a Postdoctoral Summer Research Fellowship, I developed innovative teaching tools that help students translate emotional awareness into musical decision-making. This work has demonstrated measurable gains in student engagement and expressive depth and has been presented at national and international conferences.

I am equally committed to community engagement and experiential learning. Through outreach initiatives, collaborative projects, and leadership opportunities, I encourage students to view music as both an artistic pursuit and a means of service. As founder of a community piano program and the Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival, I have sought to expand access to music education while providing students with meaningful performance and professional development experiences.

Ultimately, my goal is for students to graduate with refined technical and artistic skills, intellectual curiosity, professional awareness, and the confidence to build meaningful lives in music.

Courses Taught

• Applied Piano

• Class Piano / Group Piano

• Piano Pedagogy

• Accompanying / Chamber Music

• Introduction to Music

• Elementary School Music

• Music History Since 1700

• Music Theory III

Teaching Experience

Assistant Professor of Music (Tenure Track)
Union Commonwealth University | 2021–Present

Adjunct Professor of Piano
Joliet Junior College | 2018–2022

Community Piano Instructor
Concordia University Chicago | 2018–2022

Music Director
Cambridge Lakes Charter School | 2012–2017

Student Success

• Multiple Royal Conservatory of Music State and Regional Gold Medal recipients

• Successful student recitals and jury performances

• Student participation in festivals, competitions, and community outreach initiatives

Professional Service

• President, Kentucky Music Teachers Association

• Founder and Artistic Director, Southeastern Kentucky Piano Festival