Quick Facts About Reuben
- Teaches drums, piano, sax, guitar and bass
- Works well with all ages and skill levels
- Focuses on the fundamentals and customizes curriculum to meet a student's needs
- Strengths: Extensive experience playing and performing in live shows
- Teaching for 6 years
- Bachelor's in Music Composition from Cornish College of the Arts; Music Instructor at Lineweaver Elementary School
Learn More About Reuben
General Teaching Style
My teaching style is laid back, full of positivity, and very versatile.
My priority is that students are not only enjoying their lessons, but enjoying their own personal time with their instrument and are continually excited about learning and playing new material.
Curriculum-wise, I start with identifying the fundamental elements of music; beginning students will learn to apply those fundamentals to their instrument using mimicry and rote methods. From there, students will apply their practical knowledge of performance towards understanding notation and learning to read.
My biggest emphasis in teaching is that music should feel good to play, and we should all be playing the music we enjoy.
Focus & Goals of the First Lesson
In the first lesson, a student can expect to learn to identify different fundamentals of music such as rhythm, melody and harmony; in addition to learning how to approach the instrument physically, they'll start learning to play along with music they enjoy listening to!
Most Inspirational Music Moment
My most inspirational moment in music was getting the opportunity to perform a secret, intimate set with Young-Chhaylee at the Doe Bay Music Festival. It was an incredible experience connecting with an audience in a way I never had before.
Top 3 Desert Island Albums
- The Beatles - Abbey Road
- Donnie Trumpet and the Social Experiment - Surf
- Esperanza Spalding - Radio Music Society
Listen to Reuben
Positive and Versatile Teacher
My greatest strengths as a teacher come from my wide range of musical experience.
As someone who has participated in many various musical ensembles, camps, schools, and performances, I've been exposed to many different methods of teaching and learning music and can use various techniques and processes from each of these to best suit the needs of each individual student.
Additional Experience & Instruments
My experience working in one of the premier music stores in the country means that I have a large background knowledge of musical products as well.
This experience serves me well as a basis to recommend products and brands that may greatly benefit students and their learning.
In addition to the piano, drums and sax, I also play steel drums and guitar.