"Without music, life would be a mistake." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Give them something they enjoy, because enjoyment spurs interest, interest spurs curiosity, and curiosity leads to exploration and creation.

I have always believed that music was a part of me, that it was a part of everyone. It is one of the few, basic commonalities that we share as humans, regardless of race, age, gender, culture, or origin. From the dawn of our consciousness we have always had music and art as a part of our being--even small children have been known to sing before they can even speak words. How is that possible, if it is not innate to our souls?

However, I discovered over time, that we sectionalize music so vastly that it becomes difficult to teach new musicians. We convince ourselves so strongly of our own personal views of music, of what "music" means to us, that even in young students it becomes hard to encourage a new genre or perspective for them. What's more is that as our society shifts and our children become more and more mature at younger ages, neither can we force a new perspective. Doing so adversely pushes our students away, instead of encouraging them to grow.

 My philosophy of music education is to encourage exploration and enjoyment above all things. I am not looking to create perfect musicians; I do not expect every student I teach to become symphony members and musical prodigies. I want, more than anything, for my students to love music for what it is: a method for personal expression and an aesthetic experience to be appreciated. I try to take the music they know and love and connect it to new ideas, rather than forcing on them styles and techniques that are uncomfortable to them. All music can be equally appreciated for its differences, just like we can celebrate the diversity and differences in our students and ourselves.

Give them something they enjoy, because enjoyment spurs interest, interest spurs curiosity, and curiosity leads to exploration and creation.

Thank you,

​Sally Petty