Darrin
Today, Winterhalter Music teacher Darrin Burrell is featured in our teacher showcase series. Darrin teaches piano, guitar, flute, and trumpet. He attended Greensboro College, where he received his major in Music Performance (flute) and his minor in International Studies. He even spent a semester studying abroad in Hong Kong. Darrin loves teaching and has a positive approach with lessons and a cheery outlook on life. It has been a true pleasure having him a part of our wonderful team for the past year! My interview with Darrin is included below.
1. Why did you decide to become a music teacher?
Music has always been my greatest passion. I discovered very early on that I wanted to share that passion with others, and I knew the best way would be in a teaching capacity. Everyone has always said I would be a fantastic teacher, so I always took those words to heart, and I worked hard to ensure that I could be a very good teacher. Likewise, my greatest inspirations in life have always been music teachers. I want to be that kind of teacher to my students, someone that they always feel they can turn to for support and motivation.
2. What is your favorite thing about teaching?
My absolute favorite thing about teaching is getting to share my passion for music with my students, as well as bringing out their own passion for music and fostering that growth with each lesson. I love seeing those moments when things just “click” and I see that they really understand it.
3. How do you motivate your students?
I think the best way I motivate them is remind them that I am still human, and therefore not perfect. I’m still learning things, and I was a student, too. It’s important to remember that nobody is perfect, and they shouldn’t seek to be absolutely perfect.
4. What is your favorite music to play and listen to?
My favorite music to play is definitely jazz. I absolutely adore jazz, it’s just so fun and free. It’s nice to escape the rigid structure that classical music often brings. As far as listening, my tastes tend to be fairly eclectic. Some days I’ll be listening to Japanese or Korean pop, other days I’ll be listening to jazz or Broadway tunes.
5. What are some fun facts that people might not know about you?
I have this side dream of becoming a published author, so I’m actually currently working on my first book. It’s kind of plotted out, just not sure where to go with it. I’m also very keen on exploring the connection between music and autism, why autistic children are so good at music, and how we can use that to ultimately help them.
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You can find out more about Darrin in his bio. Contact us if you’d like more information about beginning lessons with Darrin or one of our other terrific teachers.
Sincerely,
Cassie
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