Faith McKinley

My aim as a teacher is to have students enjoy music at any stage of life. I have had the joy of teaching a wide range of students from age five to seventy-five in multiple settings, including elementary music, high school band, group lessons, and private lessons. My students come from all around the world – from local areas in Massachusetts and Maine, to China, Brazil, and South Africa. I have experience working with students who are English Language Learners (ELLs), as well as students with learning disabilities. I am able to adapt to the student’s needs and learning style, showing them they can be successful.

 

My approach is centered on students gaining musical understanding that allows them to be a more knowledgeable member of society. I do this by developing their critical thinking and listening skills through their own playing. In addition, I develop an appreciation of different types of music by picking a diverse repertoire of composers that are often under-represented in the music world. Often, when students are from different areas or backgrounds, I try to find composers/arrangers of repertoire that they can identify with. Having representation in the music played is just as important as learning how to be a successful musician.  

 

I primarily offer group and private lessons for beginner and intermediate clarinetists of any age. I work with high school drum majors as part of their preparation of being student leaders in the fall marching band season. My students have participated in district and honor band festivals, as well as the Massachusetts All-State Festival. The drum majors I have worked with come from gold-medal marching bands in both Maine and Massachusetts. Regardless of what a student achieves, my hope is that through taking lessons with me, they will discover a life-long learning and love of music.