“As an educator, I am consistently inspired and influenced by Jessica’s teaching style. Her love of life, her beloveds including students, and music shines and is present in every single lesson and encounter I’ve had the privilege to have had with Jessica”

— SUZANNE SIMONS, FACULTY MEMBER AT THE EVERGREEN STATE COLLEGE

 
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How to Choose a Music Teacher

Hi and Welcome to My Website. Thank you for visiting!

My name is Jessiquinn and I Love! to teach music.

Since you are here, I am going to assume that you are looking for music lessons. Congratulations - I think playing music is one the best things in life.

You probably have some questions about how to find the right teacher for you. Well, here are some pointers that may help you.

First: Answer the following questions:

  • What qualities will playing an instrument or singing bring into my life. More fun? Creative expression? Discipline? A way to relax? Greater confidence? Time with other people?

  • What are my goals? (Any and all goals are great - nothing is too big or too small).

  • What would I like to be able to do with my instrument in 6 months? 1 year? 2 years? 5 Years?

  • What would I like to offer to others with my music?

  • What do I want to experience with my music?

Just by knowing the answers to these questions you will have a much better sense of what you are looking for in a teacher.

 

 

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Second: Try a teacher out! Whenever I speak with a new student I always recommend that they take a few lessons with me and see whether I am the right teacher for them. It’s important. In the lessons ask yourself:

  • Is it easy for me to understand the teacher?

  • Do I leave the lessons generally energized and excited about music?

  • Are lessons generally fun?

  • Does the teacher push me to get better?

  • Do they ask me about my goals and listen well? Or do they talk at me and run through their agenda?

Does the teacher give you a plan after hearing you sing or play? This is an important step. Sometimes teachers will give you exercises to do and songs to learn without sharing their long-term plan and why they are doing what they are doing. Choose a teacher that keeps you in the loop. These are your lessons, your time or your child’s time, and your money. So, you have a right to know the teacher’s vision and reasoning.

Third: Look at the teacher’s ability. In my opinion, usually a teacher can only teach what they can do. So, go hear the teacher. Look them up online. Now this doesn’t mean that if someone is a great performer, they are a great teacher. Certainly not. But a teacher needs to be able to DO what they are teaching to you.

Fourth: Ask a teacher how they are learning? We teachers are at our best when we challenge ourselves to keep learning and improving. That way we have more to offer to our students, can relate better to our students because we are remembering what it’s like to be brand new at something, and we stay inspired!

Fifth: Choose a teacher who LOVES to teach and keeps you or your child connected with what you love about music. This is the most important one in my opinion.

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A bit about me 

As a teacher I am dedicated to creating environments in which students have fun and grow a sense of confidence and well being by developing their musical voices and attaining their musical goals.

For the past 20 year I have taught at numerous schools, camps, and programs including teaching voice at Wesleyan University; conducting the El Sobrante Waldorf School’s high school orchestra and choir; teaching violin, chamber music and choir for the Resurrection Lutheran Church Music Program; teaching group fiddle lessons at Fiddlekids (a fiddle camp for children ages 7-13); teaching private and group lessons at Yenney Music for the last twelve years. 

I currently run my own voice and violin studio, conduct the Olympia Jazz Singers, and am the voice teacher at South Puget Sound Community College.