Online Classical Guitar Composition Drumset Electric Bass Electric Guitar Guitar Organ Percussions Piano Singer-Songwriter Voice Lessons with Catlin 

Catlin - Teacher #3534

Instruments:
- Classical Guitar
- Composition
- Drumset
- Electric Bass
- Electric Guitar
- Guitar
- Organ
- Percussions
- Piano
- Singer-Songwriter
- Voice

Services:
- Composition
- Counterpoint
- Dictation
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Jazz Improvation
- Music Appreciation
- Music History
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)
- Solfege
- Suzuki

Languages:
- English
- French

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy can be broadly defined by two key aims in terms of supporting student learning. First, my approach is one that aims to customize and adapt teaching for each student so as to relate to individual student skills, needs, and musical/artistic interests. Second, my approach is one that sees music lessons as an incredible site to help students become successful and empowered learners, not just in terms of music, but in many aspects of their lives. 

This approach is one that sees effective learning in terms of student capacity to problem-solve, take risks and navigate new situations with the knowledge and skills they have acquired. For me, effective learning occurs when a concept or technique is understood to the point that it is able to be freely transposed to different situations and used as a free-standing tool rather than just a repeatable idea. One of my strengths as a teacher is my ability to scaffold for this kind of learning. I have extensive experience working with students to bridge theory and practice, for instance, by relating difficult music theory concepts to songs and/or artists of interest and designing exercises and projects that help students to experiment with putting theories and concepts into practice. 

This approach is founded in the goal of supporting and empowering students not just as musicians, but as learners in the broader world. In my previous teaching experience, I had the opportunity to help many students prepare material for school bands and recitals, student “rock bands”, as well as personal projects (ie. I’ve co-produced song-writing and recording projects with a number of my students, including a full-length album created in collaboration over the pandemic). My background as a multi-instrumentalist (piano, guitar, bass, drums, vocals, and various elements of music production) has allowed me to develop an extensive repertoire of exercises and learning activities that allow me to meet the students where they are. Alongside creating a safe and welcoming environment wherein students feel empowered, it is extremely important that I present weekly challenges that push my students to move past their various personal thresholds and develop discipline and perseverance as they move through their learning journey. By supporting student risk-taking and vulnerability, while also developing structured programs to help students reach goals, I strive to create a supportive learning environment where students can open up to the sometimes difficult, but also highly rewarding, experience of learning music. 

Through the above strategies and concepts, I aim to empower my students to become independent learners - giving them the skills and confidence to take the initiative necessary to continue their educational journey through life. 

Musical Education

I have a BMus in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music from MacEwan University in Edmonton, AB where I studied piano, composition and audio recording/production. I began studying piano privately at age seven, and classical guitar at age nine using the Suzuki method. In the years that followed I taught myself electric guitar and bass, drums, and various elements of recording and production before going back to formalize my education with my BMus.

Special Skills and Training

For much of my childhood, my best friend's mother was a classical voice teacher who also ran a private music school from their home. This afforded me an early insight into the world of music education, which has always fascinated me. Another significant influence in my life as an educator is my life partner, who has a PHD in educational philosophy. Thanks to her I have attended many educational conferences over the years, and have come to realize how important education is to me. In my last position teaching at a music studio, I progressed from teaching only guitar lessons to teaching 5 different instruments, leading child and adult "rock bands", managing a team of other teachers and creating content for and leading summer music camps. These experiences have contributed greatly to my love of teaching, as well as influenced my teaching philosophy.