Tiffany Westlake

History

I teach students (any and all ages) music in a way that reaches them and instills a lifelong love of music. I adapt lessons to the student's individual needs and learning styles. Working with the student, I help them understand where we're going in lessons and why we're covering the things we're covering. I help my students set goals, explaining what the goals will do for their overall playing. Learning to play music takes discipline and commitment, but it can also be fun and enjoyable and inspiring. I give prizes, rewards, and incentives for achievement (long-term and short-term) to motivate, inspire, and nurture my students. I also offer lots of varied performance opportunities throughout the year to spice things up and remind them why they want to learn music. Seeing other kids perform gives students a boost in motivation. It helps them see what they could sound like in the future. Seeing their peers playing makes them want to play better. It's an important part of learning.

Specialties

Piano and Violin Lessons ages 4+ I teach all aspects of music including, but not limited to, classical music training, technique, scales, chords, arpeggios, phrasing, feeling, styling, ear training, reading music, playing by ear, classical repertoire, popular repertoire, jazz, music history, music theory, how to write your own songs(composition), improvisation, sight reading, fiddling, etc. I teach students (any and all ages) music in a way that reaches them and instills a lifelong love of music. I adapt lessons to the student's individual needs and learning styles. Working with the student, I help them understand where we're going in lessons and why we're covering the things we're covering. I help my students set goals, explaining what the goals will do for their overall playing. While I will not deny that to learn music takes discipline and commitment, I believe music needs to be fun; so I have prizes, rewards, and incentives for achievement (long-term and short-term) to motivate, inspire, and nurture my students. I also give lots of varied performance opportunities throughout the year to spice things up and remind them why they want to learn music. I also help students prepare to play at their own performance opportunities such as church functions, Regional and All-state auditions, Metropolitan Youth Symphony, East Valley Youth Symphony, Phoenix Youth Guild, Mesa Youth Orchestra, Mesa Young People's Orchestra, school orchestras, choirs, bands, and jazz bands, etc.