Suzanne Edwards

I have learned there are three different approaches to teaching. The first is the Utilitarian philosophy:  The value of music for societal goals rather than the actual value of learning or playing the instrument in and of itself, it’s functional value in society; second is the Aesthetic philosophy: Teaching music for music’s sake – the form of fine art, the study of music as an artwork; and third, Praxial philosophy – is the moral and psychological, socio and political music expression.

So I began by asking myself two questions, a) what is the purpose of a teaching philosophy? The answer I derived is, to tap into ones own ideals about personal belief, understanding and approach toward teaching music. This gives a person the ability to present, teach and defend their reasoning for their philosophical approach. This is especially true and valuable when applying for a position as music teacher or continuing to grow as an educator; and b) which philosophy category do I fall under and why? The answer is, I fall under the paraxial category “the moral and psychological, socio and political music expression”, both as a teacher and as a musician. I have personally spent my whole life studying music and refining my musicianship skillset in various areas, both as a vocalist, instrumentalist, songwriter and composer. Each of these areas has required time, energy and dedication to my craft. In the six years or more that I have spent teaching music in a classroom setting, I have had the opportunity to watch many students begin learning how to play an instrument, begin to read music and create music through composing. It has been a very rewarding experience to watch my students discover their new and innate talents.

Finally, in this day of YouTube and students who are sometimes self-taught, before they might have the opportunity to play a band instrument in school and sit in front of an actual music teacher, it is even more important to me that students have the opportunity to study with a teacher who has a solid foundation in music education and further more, promote that music education is a choice when going to college. It is my hope that I will one day hear from a student that he or she has chosen music education as their path.