Unmotivated students? Check this out
Have you ever wondered how to motivate your students? Teachers of various disciplines and experience levels can all agree: this a topic...
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Problem-Solving Prompts for Teachers
Have you ever had a student answer a question with answer that caught you off guard? Or, have a student answer with a lot...
(Re)defining "Success"
Here's a little something I wish I knew when I was a high school and college student: how you define success will change. Although I...
The Best of the Best: Recommended Equipment
Searching the internet for "best reeds" or "what saxophone should I buy" is a rabbit hole you don't need to go down. Often, these...
The Importance of Being Earnest
Some of the best advice I've ever received comes from my graduate school professor, Timothy McAllister. While studying orchestral...
The Coolest Gifts They'll Actually Use
As much as saxophone-themed socks, ties, and t-shirts are appreciated, here are the coolest gifts that students will actually use:...
Why Your Students Procrastinate…and How to Help Them Stop
Procrastination has never been something I’ve understood; I am always the person that gets an assignment and dives in immediately, aiming...
How to Clean the Mouthpiece
Regularly cleaning the saxophone mouthpiece is an essential part of instrument care. Think about it: how hygienic would it be to not...
The BEST Apps for Beginners
There's a lot out there that will entertain young students. But apps that ACTUALLY aid in their musical development? That's a...
Kick canker sores to the curb
Canker sores got you down? Here's your handy guide to getting your mouth back in tip-top shape: Hydrogen peroxide: the antiseptic...
Lights, Camera, (Re)Action
I heard a fantastic lecture this past March on Stage Fright from Psychotherapist Melissa Duncan. In addition to her insight on the...
Quaranteaching Week 9(?)
Virtual teaching is...an adventure. Navigating this time has certainly been a change. Not one to shy away from a challenge, I've created...
Virtual Teaching Camera Angles
Quaranteaching week 2: a nod to the angles students use during lessons. Personal favorite: The “thigh-master”
Chamber Ensemble Fun
As much as I love teaching one-on-one, there's something so special about coaching a chamber ensemble (or in the case of the Vandegrift...
Support Students...and Their Decisions
Today’s (unconventional) teaching gem: hearing the excitement of an 8th grader talking about the courses she’ll take in high...
Sweatpants Guy: Avoiding Panic
It’s sweatpants guy week. When I was a freshman in high school auditioning for District Band, there was a junior who went right before...
A Few of My Favorite Things
My husband has a habit of going to wirecutter.com whenever he needs something new. If you're unfamiliar with the site, it's a hub of...
Deep Practice
A fantastic article on the power and practice of deep learning. How to Harness the Power of Deep Practice to Master Any Discipline
Key Leaves!!
If you haven't tried these out yet, you NEED to! Here's why I use them and recommend them for my students. Check them out for yourself at...
Growth Mindset with Carol Dweck
As we near Thanksgiving break and look at fall competition results in the rear view mirror, I want to take a minute to address something...
The Critical Inner Voice
My lecture on Overcoming Performance Anxiety is up on YouTube! Excuse my shoes (I forgot to change out of my walking shoes :/) and enjoy...
Croatian Shenanigans (Croatiananigans!)
World Saxophone Congress 18 in the books! I am home now from WSC, which seems strange since I was in Zagreb, Croatia yesterday. Needless...
"Love the Process" Series
The 2017-18 school year was my challenge to fall back in love with the PROCESS of making music, instead of focusing on results. The final...
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