Music Lessons Directory

Name: Levi Comstock
Email: levi.comstock@gmail.com
Website: http://www.levicomstock.com
Location: Cambridge, MA

Areas of Study Offered: I teach viola, violin, and fiddle lessons to students of all ages. Students develop performance skills and a repertoire of songs in classical, bluegrass, and jazz styles based on interest. In addition, students become musically literate, learning to read, write, compose, and improvise music with ease.

Musical Education/Teaching Experience: BM Music Education, St. Olaf College Suzuki Book 1 training at Hartt Conservatory 6 years of private studio teaching 2 years of public school orchestra teaching in Minneapolis public schools 3 summers of teaching lessons, chamber music, and orchestra in various camp settings including the MacPhail Center for the Arts, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Upper Midwest Chamber Music Festival

Teaching Philosophy: I believe that everyone is musical who can talk, clap, or walk. I have taught students with seemingly insurmountable physical and circumstantial challenges who created meaningful musical experiences for themselves and audiences, and they inspire me to be a more patient and creative teacher. I design flexible and differentiated lessons that allow students at different levels to create personal goals in their playing, and I work individually with students to help them meet their goals.

I believe that music is an essential part of a child’s development. It is a physical and mental discipline that builds concentration, coordination, organization, quick thinking, and attention to detail. It speaks to and from the heart in a unique and powerful way. It is an integral part of culture, and by studying and performing different styles of music we learn about ourselves and our neighbors throughout the world. I believe that in every classroom learning is both direct and ancillary. Children learn what is in my lesson plan objectives through activities that let them discover a prescribed concept. They also soak in many lessons from the classroom environment about music and about life. I am conscious of this in creating an atmosphere of respect, acceptance, and high expectations.

I believe that my effectiveness as a teacher is proportional to my openness as a learner. I seek professional advice from colleagues, I study and practice my own musical craft, and I try to put myself daily onto the other side of the podium to ask “what are my students hearing, and what is this like for them?” I also refer back to my training in pedagogy, asking, “How would Paul Rolland teach this? What would Suzuki tell this student?” I believe that music has the power to bring hope to a hurting world, carry people through difficult times, and bring people together toward a common goal. I teach because I want to be there when these things happen.

Additional Info: For references, playing samples, and lesson policies, please see website www.levicomstock.com