Samson Andersson
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that there is a hunger for music inside every one of us. As for myself, I have found my hunger to be quite eclectic. I have vigorously studied classical piano, western harmony, reggae, calypso, soca, jazz, rock, pop, RnB, soul, sound synthesis and music production. I believe that a student’s love for music should not be constricted to a single genre and I invite my students to explore with me the expanse of music as a whole.
My passion for teaching derives from my own desire to learn. As Plato wrote, music “is a more potent instrument than any other for education.” Research has found that music students have on average, increased language development, higher IQs, better spatial-temporal skills, and improved test scores. In addition to these advances, I also wish to awaken my students’ own unique musical voice and teach them the technical facility necessary for their expression to be heard. While I will be teaching them all the skills they need to excel in music, my ultimate goal is to render myself unnecessary. A professional, I am my own teacher. I hope to launch my students into a lifetime of study and musical appreciation.
As for my teaching approach, I believe that lessons should be stimulating and enjoyable while emphasizing each student's self-expression. Students should genuinely enjoy playing the piano. By offering more than the traditional classical genre, students will develop practical skills such as playing by ear, improvisation, and composition/arranging. While music’s purpose is to stir the emotions, the technique and intellect of my students must be nurtured as well. I teach good technique; namely, strong, independent fingers, good posture, and appropriate arm weight. As for my student’s minds, I integrate ear training, music theory and musical history/style to add perspective to a students playing.
Contact for lessons in your home or in my Olde Towne East studio!