about me

My name is Mariska and I want to teach music in the public schools.  Ever since I was little I have always loved both playing and listening to music.  My mom started teaching me the violin when I was 3 years old and I've been playing ever since.  I love working with kids and teaching private lessons, but also enjoy the atmosphere of making music together as a group which is what it would be like if I were teaching an orchestra class.  There are so many skills that a child acquires from learning a musical instrument; hard work, discipline, patience, coordination, team work, and the list could go on.  I think above all music can be a great way of expressing oneself.  Music is it's own language and can sometimes say things better than words.  That is one reason why I have been drawn to music.  One thing that I feel is different about music compared with other disciplines is that we don't really use textbooks.  After our class discussion, however, my view has been broadened as to what can be considered a "text."  Now I think that sheet music, charts, and diagrams could be considered texts and in a musical setting are much more useful in teaching than a textbook.  I hope that I can look for ways to incorporate the things I will learn to teaching music.  I am sure that I could also apply the things we talk about to teaching a music history or music appreciation course where there would be a a lot more reading and writing involved.  I am excited to get lots of new ideas to apply to my teaching field.