Teachers can simultaneously inspire and hold you back in the same sentence. If I could back and give my younger self advice, I would say donāt wait for somebody to give yourself permission to be authentically you!
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Getting to play my own composition like this is wild. Donāt worry no bows were harmed in the process (despite the dangling hairs you see š) Orchestra: @mansfieldphilharmonic šš¾
Piece: Vento Negro by Armond Vance
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#violinist #violincover #violincovers #lockedin #orchestra #composer #viral #trending #twosetviolin #blackviolinist #blackviolin #hiphopviolinist
The State of Texas declared they were going to take over my school back in September. This is what a group of young scholars sound like at a āfailingā school. They did an amazing job yesterday and I am beyond proud of them. My school, William James has received bad press coverage over the years because of test scores and discipline issues. Systemic forces working in tandem with inadequate funding in being in a low income environment have played a role in this. Unfortunately the negativity has overshadowed all of the AMAZING things that are happening and the student growth. My students are intelligent, brave, ambitious, dedicated and all of the above. They should be celebrated not punished. I have been fortunate to work with other great educators at my school such as @bar_alex8@metzli7@metzli7@tristinarodriguesa@joel971910 who have all played a vital role in educating, inspiring, motivating, and celebrating our kids. Donāt let the media fool you, there are amazing things happening at my school and I am proud to wear the badge of honor for my seven years of service at William James. Thank you to all who have supported me and my students over the years!
Also if you want to teach orchestra and mariachi next year, let me know. š
#musicteacher #orchestra #teacher #mariachi #musiceducation
Weāre all about keeping it untraditional here. šProud of their progress šŖš¾ Improvisation is a libertating activity that teaches the importance of taking risks - which is a vital life skill. But it is also just SO liberating and helps students develop a deeper sense of self by giving them the opportunity to paint a picture with SOUND. With some guardrails that prevent them from getting overwhelmed, (like only using notes in the D Major Pentatonic Scale) Improvisation can be accessible at all levels.
#orchestrateacher #orchestra #musiceducator #cello #violin
Ngl this entrance was tuff. š¤ I love keeping it untraditional at weddings! š» š @gunna
#weddingviolinist #gunna #violinist #hiphopviolinist #violincover
Anime has made it inside of NBA stadiums. š² This is a snippet of an anime medley that I did for the @dallasmavs anime night back in December! Shoutout to @joehisaishi.official for creating this beautiful melody and for @ronniezaart for creating this mix!
#animenight #anime #violinist #animecover #violincover
Performed to celebrate Black Love at the Black Man Can Awards in NYC. It was an honor and this audience understood the assignment! Shoutout to @drbrandonframe for leading this organization and putting this event together!
Video cred to @coachmelorib š
#blacklove #blackexcellence #violinist #hiphopviolinist #undertheinfluence
Probably should be grading papers or something. š After teaching middle school music classes and disciplining kids all day sometimes I just need to PLAY with no plan just straight up improv over a beat. If you from Houston or appreciate Houston rap music you will definitely recognize this. š
#teacher #middleschoolteacher #violinist #musicteacherlife #musicteacher
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! Itās been real yāall. Thank you to all who have supported my students and myself over these past seven years. Shoutout to Fort Worth Worthās ISDās Visual and Performing Arts Department and the administrators that I have had over the years that have supported and allowed me to simply teach music without obstacles. I have wanted to pursue this lifestyle as a full time artist since 2018, after graduating from Ohio State. But I needed job security and also felt very insecure as a musician then. Being in a self-deprecating environment for 5 years around other insecure and judgmental people will do that! But I am also grateful for the education I was able to receive there. But I have since developed a strong sense of who I am as both a human and an artist since leaving Ohio and driving down to Texas 7 years ago. As a solo act, I have performed at a diverse myriad of places across the country ranging from NBA stadiums, Symphony Halls, Gorgeous Wedding Venues, to Rodeos and more. Iām ready to do more of these things while also continuing to step into the classroom more frequently as a clinician and guest composer as opposed to a full time teacher. (Hit me up if youāre interested in that for your students!) But all and all, I feel extremely grateful and blessed that I even have the opportunity to make a decision like this. I started making more as a performer years ago and now I am in a position where I donāt have to worry about money while stepping into this new chapter. Which is a great feeling - especially since I grew up very financially poor (with a wealth of love and support though ā¤ļø) and money was always a barrier. Iām excited for what the future will bring!
Also come hear my students perform on May 14th at William James Middle School 6PM!
#teacherappreciationweekšāļøš #middleschoolteacher #teacher #musiceducation #musicteacher
