Teaching Philosophy – Dr. Steven L. Havens
As an instructor of piano, my primary objective lies in helping to foster and cultivate in each of my students his or her highest capacity in confident, expressive, imaginative, and intelligent music making.
Meaningful and masterful piano playing is developed largely through the study of a variety of keyboard music spanning some five centuries of historic styles. Pianists are fortunate to have a wealth of gratifying and valuable music – pedagogical as well as concert music – to draw from for study and performance.
Standard teaching methodologies, materials, and activities provide a broad foundation upon which beginning level students can build their skills and expand their experiences. Standard piano repertoire from the classical tradition comprises the primary music for intermediate and advanced level students. We also explore folk, popular, and jazz idioms, as well as church service playing, accompanying, and collaborative performance.
In addition to the study of piano repertoire, it is important for students of all ages and levels, that a music curriculum be comprehensive in design, addressing the broad scope of pertinent and interrelated skills that together serve to bring about complete functional musicianship and understanding. These skills include:
1) music reading skills – translate notation symbols and patterns into meaningful music
2) aural skills – cultivate the “inner ear” to connect with sound and technical dimensions of performance
3) keyboard skills – develop the ability to transpose, harmonize, and sight read
4) theoretical/analytical skills – observe the manner in which various elements of music work together as compositional aspects of music
5) technical skills – acquire healthy and fluent technical facility at the piano
6) interpretative skills – explore historic and stylistic dimensions and possibilities of performance
7) creative skills – exploring collaborative playing, composition, and improvisation
Music study is a highly complex activity. Success in both process and outcome is dependent upon a number of factors, among them: thoughtful planning, effective communication, constructive guidance, creativity, and good humor on the part of the instructor. It is my sincere commitment to offer my students all I can to inspire outstanding performance and skill development in a manner that is inviting, accessible, and useful. Music study must also be an activity of enjoyment and enrichment. To that end, I endeavor to take a flexible and innovative approach with learning objectives suited to each individual student.
Over several years of teaching, my students have taken part in a number of solo and concerto competitions. In addition to local and regional contests and events, these include: the Tuesday Morning Music Club Competition, the World Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition. My students have also attended programs such as the Credo Chamber Music Program at Oberlin College, Interlochen Arts Camp, and the University of Texas at Austin Summer Workshop for High School Pianists. Students have gone on to distinguished educational institutions such as Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, Elmhurst College, Wheaton College, Michigan State University, and Indiana University, among others. Many former students have gone on to successful music careers, while others have elected to make music an avocation and source of lifelong enjoyment.
For each and every student, I am most grateful, and I count it privilege to have been given the opportunity to make a contribution as instructor and mentor. Music has deeply enriched my life in countless ways, and it is a joy to share from my experience and expertise the wonder and delight of making music.