Theresa Chen
Keyboardist, Composer, Arranger & Educator
The Teaching Side of ME
I have been teaching jazz for 11 years. The jazz courses I've taught include history, theory, and pedagogy. I'm directing one big band and two combos, along with piano/improv lessons. I just recently got certified by Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) on Effective Teaching Practices (YAYYYYYY). My philosophy has changed occasionally as I gained more experience and encountered more students from different backgrounds.
The Five Keywords
-
Foundation: I stregthen students' ability on the basic understanding of jazz theory, jazz history and other music fundamentals.
-
Flexibility and diversity: I strive to create personalized lesson plans and equitable course activities/assessments/projects. As a strong advocate for active learning, I will make sure every single content is meaningful and keeps students engaged.
-
Listening: I encourage students to listen to other music genres besides jazz, as well as to underepresented people who have drive and curiosity to learn music.
-
Attitude: As an instructor, I not only teach musical concepts but also teach students morals and work ethics, so that they will keep a humble, earnest, honest, and hard-working attitude when they pursue their careers, and create high-quality music.
-
Connection/Network: The contents of my teaching relate to essential skills that students need to master before entering the real world, especially on getting gigs, building new jazz communities, and creating educational resources.
My Class/Lesson Commandments
-
RESPECT and REMEMBER every musical tradition while you are creating something new.
-
Compose, play, and create music with all your heart, mind, body, and soul, just like on the last day of your life. CONCENTRATE and HAVE FUN!
-
Start knowing your family of origin better to know how their characteristics shaped you today. Grow and become a better, different version of yourself from your family. You are you, and no one can define what your life should be, and you’re the only master of it.
-
Never regret every choice you made, such as the classes you take, your primary field, and the school you ended up coming to study at.
-
Always repeat and ask yourself where your passion, strength, and confidence came from. Reflect all the time, for there will be lots of moments when you feel your passion being ruined. Don’t give up easily and drift with the tide.
-
Each institution you’re at, and everyone you work with has limits. It cannot suit you well and solve your life problems completely, but you have to figure out how you develop with things available around you. You’re dealing with reality, but don’t forget to DREAM BIG! You will be able to achieve something as soon as you get out of your comfort zone.
-
ALWAYS ASK QUESTIONS, even though those might be trivial or seem/feel “stupid.” It is the process of knowing something new, getting better at something, and making huge progress.
