"Hello, my name is Carmen, and I am excited to work with you! I am a paraprofessional musician holding dual Bachelor's degrees in Music Education and Music Performance. Currently, I am pursuing my Master's degree in Music with a concentration in Voice Performance (Opera), where I continue to refine my artistry and expand on pedagogical concepts. My teaching strategy is rooted in meaningful and student-centered instruction.

In my undergraduate career, I accumulated nearly 1,000 hours of student teaching practicum instruction at the k-12 level. I spent 500 hours working in a elementary general music classroom, where I learned how to teach with a student-centered, exploratory approach via the Orff and Kodály methods. The Orff method emphasizes instruction and exploration on classroom instruments, and the Kodály method stresses the importance of learning through singing- building strong aural literacy in young students. (I am proficient in the Curwen hand signs of the Kodály method.)

Additionally, I have provided individualized tutoring in music history, music theory, and aural skills (aural theory) during my undergraduate career, supporting students in developing a deeper understanding of complex musical concepts. I am genuinely excited to work with each and every student I meet, and I look forward to helping them unlock their full potential and grow in confidence as musicians and scholars!" less...