Statement of Purpose
Since I was young, I have always loved music class. It was my favorite place to be: an escape from the every day life of reading, writing, and math. I would spend as much time as I could in the music room; before class, lunch, recess, pick-up, and any other chance I could get. Music has always been a big part of my life and teaching it has always been a dream of mine.
During my senior year, my choir teacher had a teaching style that was effective but strict. The underclassmen in the class were often criticized and not complimented on their voices, while the upperclassmen were rewarded for being better singers and doing better at sight-reading. I started to see numbers drop in the class and decided I wouldn’t let the younger kids be treated like this. When my choir teacher realized how I was rebelling against his style, he punished me by not calling on me or by giving me fewer opportunities than others. At the end of the year, I turned down a solo so a younger student could have a chance and the excitement radiating from the freshman knowing that she got a solo is what solidified my ideas of being a music teacher. Making someone happy, just by giving him or her a chance, is what I want to do for the rest of my life. .
I’ve seen first hand over the years how happy music can make someone. I personally went through I time where I thought I was alone, but music was always there for me and got me through it. I want to guide students to see that music can do the same for them. It can be powerful enough to move someone to tears or brighten their day in a heartbeat. It’s a universal language that can move mountains. I am so passionate about music; it has been driving me to do great things since I was young. I want to instill this passion into young students and help them see all the amazing things they can do with just a few chords. I may be overly optimistic, I understand that not every student will love music like I do or see how powerful it is, but I have to at least try. If I can make one student feel the same way about music that I do, then I’ve succeeded.
Now that I am at Berklee College of Music in the Music Education program I truly see how powerful it can be. Being surrounded by people who are passionate about music is an empowering experience. Every person wants to make a difference, whether that is to teach or to soothe, to produce or manage, to compose or perform. Every person here can relate on this immediate level of music. As an educator, I hope that the students in my class will be able to do the same. It may not be as advanced as discussing chord scales, but can be as simple as talking about their new favorite song. Creating that connection is beautiful to me. That is why I chose to be a music educator and why I will forever love my profession.
During my senior year, my choir teacher had a teaching style that was effective but strict. The underclassmen in the class were often criticized and not complimented on their voices, while the upperclassmen were rewarded for being better singers and doing better at sight-reading. I started to see numbers drop in the class and decided I wouldn’t let the younger kids be treated like this. When my choir teacher realized how I was rebelling against his style, he punished me by not calling on me or by giving me fewer opportunities than others. At the end of the year, I turned down a solo so a younger student could have a chance and the excitement radiating from the freshman knowing that she got a solo is what solidified my ideas of being a music teacher. Making someone happy, just by giving him or her a chance, is what I want to do for the rest of my life. .
I’ve seen first hand over the years how happy music can make someone. I personally went through I time where I thought I was alone, but music was always there for me and got me through it. I want to guide students to see that music can do the same for them. It can be powerful enough to move someone to tears or brighten their day in a heartbeat. It’s a universal language that can move mountains. I am so passionate about music; it has been driving me to do great things since I was young. I want to instill this passion into young students and help them see all the amazing things they can do with just a few chords. I may be overly optimistic, I understand that not every student will love music like I do or see how powerful it is, but I have to at least try. If I can make one student feel the same way about music that I do, then I’ve succeeded.
Now that I am at Berklee College of Music in the Music Education program I truly see how powerful it can be. Being surrounded by people who are passionate about music is an empowering experience. Every person wants to make a difference, whether that is to teach or to soothe, to produce or manage, to compose or perform. Every person here can relate on this immediate level of music. As an educator, I hope that the students in my class will be able to do the same. It may not be as advanced as discussing chord scales, but can be as simple as talking about their new favorite song. Creating that connection is beautiful to me. That is why I chose to be a music educator and why I will forever love my profession.