Grace

Certified Tutor

I am a graduate of the Minnesota State University of Moorhead, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education specializing in vocal and choral music. Through my college education, I have gained valuable experience teaching general music, conducting choir rehearsals and performances, and providing individual voice lessons to students of all ages. Outside of classes, I also directed a local children's choir, provided voice lessons, and volunteered to direct the music for a collegiate musical. Some of my most fulfilling memories are from individual voice lessons. I enjoy working one-on-one with students to overcome obstacles related to self-esteem and confidence, which too often bars a student's enjoyment of vocal music. Other than vocal training, I have an extensive educational background in the Japanese language. I started learning Japanese in middle school through the Concordia College Language Villages, earning language credit and making it to the top advanced class by high school. While in high school, I also studied abroad for a year in Oita, Japan. My favorite aspects of the experience that I like to talk about are the food, Classical Japanese class, and Choir Club. After entering college, I took independent study courses for Japanese, as they did not offer language classes advanced enough, and tutored students in the Japanese courses individually and in study groups. I have passed the N2 (second to highest) level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test as well. As a teacher, I am committed to ensuring, through differentiation and innovation, that every student is able to learn, regardless of disability, race, social class, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or home situation. I believe in going beyond music and language as a science and using them as a medium to teach positive self-image, self expression, and sympathy - skills that are cardinal to a globally interconnected society. I want to give my students a tool to express themselves and communicate within a diverse world. As such, my teaching approach involves an integration of culture, self-exploration, and collaboration. Outside of academia, I enjoy listening to music, playing with my dog, watercolor painting, and mystery fiction.