1.  I have years of musical experience teaching students of all ages.  I also hold a Ph.D. in instructional psychology and understand the learning process.

2.  I believe that music is for everyone and every person, young or old, can experience the joy of learning to play and perform even if just for their own enjoyment.

3.  In addition to gaining a love of music, students experience the rewards of accomplishment, learn self-discipline, the value of hard work, perseverance, and effective time management.

4.  My approach to teaching is completely individualized, based on the student’s interests and goals. 

5. My teaching approach follows closely and supports the music program in local schools.  I stress rudiments and good playing technique.  I strive to prepare students to succeed in middle school and high school concert and marching band.

6. I work with students to prepare for and improve their scores in district solo and ensemble festivals.  I also teach important audition preparation and solo performance skills.

7.  Depending on their interests, students learn total percussion including snare drum, drumset, concert percussion, latin percussion, and mallet percussion.

8. MDC Studio offers students opportunities to play in percussion ensembles and to perform in recitals and percussion programs.  This gives students added motivation to progress and to refine their performance skills.  They also get to see more advanced percussion students perform.  This helps the younger students appreciate other students’ talents and see what is possible.  This motivates younger students to set higher and higher goals.

9.  Students learn values and habits that go beyond the lessons such as what it means to be a good musician, how to act professionally, how to dress, how to bow and the social graces of performing in public.  By performing in public, students gain self-confidence that transfers to other things in their life.  By studying music, students even improve math skills. They also learn music theory and history.

10. Through my website and periodic e-mail announcements, I keep students and alumni informed of musical opportunities, scholarships, competitions, and clinics.  I also provide occasional field trips to those students who are interested in attending local percussion events.

11. Students receive written progress reports at the end of each semester (Dec and June).

12.  MDC Studio students become part of a positive social group.  Students perform together and get to know one another.  This sets a positive social dynamic that motivates students to want to do their best.  Plus, students make friends that last a lifetime.