Emily Chaffee

Background

About Emily Chaffee

I believe that music is a crucial part of a child’s education in several ways; primarily, as their interests expand, it is important that one can not only say “I like this” but explain why they appreciate certain things. Building vocabulary in this way is beneficial for students through expanding communication skills as well as facilitating the means to articulate exactly what they mean. Similarly, music is a phenomenal medium to integrate and augment other subjects that may be rather difficult. Even as children, we used songs and rhymes to remember our ABCs, days of the week, states, and even how to tie our shoes! It has been scientifically proven that parts of the brain are larger in volume in children who have studied music, especially from Kindergarten age and before (prior to the age of seven), onward! Finally, every student can expand their knowledge, regardless of background, and improve upon their ability to listen critically to a piece of music and understand the various aspects contained within. I believe in an adaptive and flexible method of instruction to accommodate the unique atmosphere found in each class. I am aware of each student’s various learning strengths, temperaments and experiences and work to equip students with the tools necessary to explore the vast possibilities from each perspective and expand their skills through numerous modes of inquiry (analytic, cultural, historical, allegorical, etc.) available in music. In the end, I hope to enrich each student’s ability to think about, discuss and listen to disparate types of music with a new awareness and appreciation of all aspects contained within each piece and impress upon them the significance that each second of music could have upon the psyche and mood of the listener.