Kristen Regester

Kristen Regester, Early Childhood Faculty

Preferred Student Age:  Newborns-10, also comfortable with 11-18.
Preferred Student Level:  Beginner/Intermediate

What do you want to impart to your students through your teaching? 
I would like to impart to my students an unconditional love for music.  I would like for them to leave the classroom feeling replenished, positive, excited, enthusiastic, confident, and yearning for the next class/lesson.  I would love for my students to apply what they have learned with/from me to all other aspects of their lives.  If I am able to catch my students reveling and absorbing in the moment we have together, I know I have done my job.

Are there specific methods or techniques that you use in your teaching that may be important to share with prospective students? 
I use a lot of call-and-response modeling techniques.  I support the student's individuality by encouraging his/her creativity through composing his/her own ideas.  I involve the parents/caregivers by modeling for them what the student has learned during the last 5-10 minutes of a class/lesson.  Because I am a visual person, I use a lot of visualization with the student.  Mostly I suit my teaching methods to the individual student; there is a method for everyone.

What do you enjoy most about teaching? 
In both class and private lesson settings, I love the challenge of finding the specific method to which each student learns the best.  I love the "A-ha!" moments that I receive when getting there.  I appreciate the challenge of being able to address many students at the same time.  I love giving energy to my students, and thankfully receiving an amazing portion of it back.  I love spreading my joy of music to others, which in turn affects them mentally, physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.