Approach
My approach to music learning is multi-faceted. Many different applications towards learning a principle will reinforce the learning. For example, in learning rhythm, it can be broken up into number counts and sub-counts, broken up and defined into syllables, associated with words, or identified with body motions. Each approach fortifies the others and produces better understanding for the student who can then make better applications for their learning.

Psychology of learning
Knowing how to perform well does not automatically make you a teacher. Psychology of learning has to do with being able break up learning into sequential and meaningful tasks that will enable the acquisition of knowledge and ability. I have studied psychology,education psychology and music education psychology and apply the insights of these academic fields into making lesson plans for each student. Designing the learning in this manner also helps in training the minutest, though important, technical skill. (piano - the repeat note legato; voice - an even vibrato; recorder - tonguing)

Clear assignments
Every lesson I print out a newly thought out, daily practice plan, which then is honed and adjusted during lessons. When the lesson plan is returned the next week, it is checked off and put into each student's binder. Progress is recorded on the categorized progress sheet in their binders.

Encouraging environment
Lessons and assignments are designed to not overwhelm the student, yet keep a slight challenge with simpler tasks thrown in every once in a while for an ego boost. Mistakes are never treated as failures and slow progress is never seen as inability. Persistent effort is praised. Little by little, time will ensure mastery.