I aim to expand cultural awareness, foster and cultivate different perspectives, and celebrate diversity. There are two ideas which enforce my teaching philosophy. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy states diverse and enriching knowledge comes with learning from the different cultures and walks of life we surround ourselves with. Inclusion provides environments, curricula, and learning opportunities that include students with special needs, English language learners, students from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, and students of diverse ethnic and racial origins. To create an environment of learning for all, I commit to diversify, promote inclusion and equity, and celebrate varieties of perspectives.

 

I am committed to studying and performing scores influenced by Global Folk traditions such as works by Gabriela Lena Frank and Andy Akiho, which encourage me to consistently explore how percussion is incorporated and transcended throughout different cultures. This includes exploring instruments and studying their roots and extensive histories such as the steel pan and the berimbau. And, studying works by women and people of color also enforces the needs for a well-rounded learner in music. In addition to written works, I believe it is important to explore indeterminate works in graphic scores and text scores, such as the works of Pauline Oliveros and George Lewis. For our Spring 2025 concert, the Waubonsee Community Steel Band performed “The Well and the Gentle” by Pauline Oliveros, which was a wonderful and challenging piece to direct, especially because the guidelines were not as familiar to the students, who grew up studying scores surrounding the modern Western system of notation. It was an honor to teach different types of scores and to inform students that performing, writing, and teaching music should not be limited to only the Western notation, but expanded to graphic notation and text scores.​