Andrea La Rose

I believe everyone can make music (compose, improvise, interpret) and attain a level of competency that enables them to connect with themselves and others. While I value virtuosity, I recognize that there is plenty of satisfying music-making to be made on the journey there (and it’s okay if we never make it to virtuosity).

This is how I make that belief come true:
• I help you become an independent learner: I help you understand how to evaluate yourself. I can describe what you should listen for, what it should look like, and how it should feel, so that you know when you are successful.
• I systematically pinpoint problem areas and solve them with manageable steps.
• I am positive, patient, and fun. I am just picky enough so that you improve, but not so much that you feel discouraged.
• I am open-minded and like to learn about what moves you musically.

My favorite part about teaching is when students get excited about what they are able to accomplish and when they feel empowered by music.

Qualifications:
I’ve been playing flute (transverse) for over 40 years. Presently, I perform new music, klezmer, and free improvisation. I am familiar with a variety of styles and am happy to work on the kinds of music that interest you. I have taught privately since 1997.

Ukulele is my (not-so-)secret love and I have been playing it for over 15 years. I enjoy playing it in mostly casual music situations. I teach beginning ukulele and songwriting together — first we learn to play a song, then we write a new melody and lyrics over that song’s chords. I have a blog based around my teaching that focuses on two-chord songs: http://two-chords.tumblr.com

I studied music education at university, focusing on beginning band. Then I went on to earn master’s and doctorate degrees in composition. I have taught pre-K to college level, from children’s songs and games, to composition, to music history.