Music helps us celebrate, grieve, remember, imagine, connect, and communicate in ways that words often cannot. Throughout history and across cultures, music has been part of what brings people together and helps us make sense of the world around us.

I believe music plays an important role in defining our humanity. Because of that, music education should focus on more than learning notes and rhythms. Students should learn how to listen, how to connect emotionally to what they hear, and how to find meaning in the music they create and share with others.

My students love music because they learn to make it personal. Through listening, storytelling, imagination, and meaningful musical choices, students develop a genuine connection to the music they play. When that connection exists, motivation becomes natural and learning becomes joyful.

Students who love music continue making music. My job is to help them build that love.

Every piece of music has meaning.

Sometimes we know exactly what the composer intended. More often, we do not. Without words to guide us, instrumental music leaves room for personal interpretation and connection, allowing each listener to discover meaning in a unique way.

One of the ways I help students connect more deeply with music is by encouraging them to find meaning in what they hear. Rather than focusing only on what is written on the page, I teach students to discover the stories, emotions, and meaning they hear within the music.

We often begin with sound color. When listening to a piece, I might ask a student, "What color do you see?" Bright yellows, warm oranges, soft pinks, deep blues, and dark grays can all reveal something about how a student experiences the music.

From there, we begin building a story.

Who is the main character? Where does the story take place? When does it happen? What is happening in the story? How does it end? Why is it important?

There are no perfect answers because the story belongs to the student.

As students begin creating their own connections to the music, they become emotionally invested in what they are learning. The music becomes personal. It becomes meaningful. Like a great book, they want to know what happens next. Practicing begins to feel less like completing an assignment and more like continuing a story they helped create.

Most importantly, it becomes their story.

Music is deeply personal. Every student deserves a voice in their musical journey.

One of the most important conversations in every lesson is simply asking students what they enjoy. What kinds of music excite them? What songs inspire them? What goals do they have for themselves?

Those answers matter.

While strong musical foundations are important, there is rarely only one piece of music that can teach a particular skill. If a student needs to learn a new rhythm, technique, or musical concept, there are often countless ways to teach it. Whenever possible, I give students opportunities to learn through music that genuinely interests them.

When students feel heard, they become more invested in the learning process. Lessons become a collaboration rather than a one-size-fits-all experience.

The open conversation between teacher and student remains at the center of everything I do. Students should feel comfortable sharing what they enjoy, what they find challenging, and what they hope to accomplish. Those conversations help shape meaningful learning experiences that are as unique as the students themselves.

When students have a voice in their learning, music becomes something they own rather than something they are simply assigned.

Most music students are told how many minutes they should practice each day. I take a different approach.

I focus less on time and more on engagement. Whenever possible, students have a voice in the music they learn. The right piece of music can teach a technical skill while also creating excitement and personal connection.

When students enjoy what they are playing, motivation becomes natural rather than forced.

I also encourage students to separate skill-building from playing for enjoyment. Every session should end with something they simply love to play.

I don't ask students how much they practiced. I ask them how much they played.

Most music students will not pursue a professional career in music.

So why learn an instrument?

For me, the answer has never been about creating professional musicians. Music education has value far beyond the possibility of a future career.

My goal is not only to develop musicians. It is also to develop music appreciators.

Someone must perform the music, but someone must also attend the concerts, support the arts, share music with family and friends, and recognize its value in our communities.

When students learn to understand music, connect with it emotionally, and make it part of their lives, they carry those experiences with them long after lessons end.

Some students will become performers. Some will become teachers. Many will simply become people who love music.

All of those outcomes matter.