Michael Stephens

About Me

Private guitar lessons in the comfort of your home

Education

Bachelor of Music Performance & Education and a Minor in Religious Studies, University of West Florida, | 2004 Primary Instruments: Classical Guitar & Piano Minor Instruments: Voice & Clarinet Teaching Certification in K-12 Instrumental & Choral Music,

Experience

29 Years Private Guitar Instructor | Ages 7 & Up | Beginner to Advanced 16 Years Public Music Education | Pensacola High School 2002 – 2008 | Puckett Attendance Center 2008 – 2015 | Lee Elementary 2015 – Present 16 Years Music Ministry | East Hill Baptist Church – First Baptist Florence – Hickory Ridge Baptist Church

Mission

My goal is to give my students the tools, motivation, and confidence needed to practice and pursue their desire to make music. I tailor every lesson to each individual student, no two people learn in the same way.. Most of all, I want to share my love of music with my students. I believe that learning, playing, and performing should be enjoyable and expressive.

Benefits

Private Guitar Lessons Prepare Students to Learn

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Enhances fine motor skills

Motor function is the ability to use small, acute muscle movements to write, use a computer, and perform other physical activities essential for classroom learning. The parts of the brain associated with sensory and motor function are developed through music instruction, and musically trained children have better motor function than non-musically trained children.

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Prepares the brain for achievement

Complex math processes are more accessible to students who have studied music because the same parts ofthe brain used in processing math are strengthened through practice in music. For example, students who take music in middle school score significantly higher on algebra assessments in ninth grade than their non-music counterparts, as their brains are already accustomed to performing the processes used in complex math.

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Fosters superior working memory

Working memory is the ability to mentally hold, control and manipulate information in order to complete higher- order tasks, such as reasoning and problem solving. Musicians are found to have superior working memory compared to non-musicians. Musicians arebetter able to sustain mental control during memory and recall tasks, most likely as a result of their long- term musical training.

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Cultivates better thinking skills

Thinking skills such as abstract reasoning are integral to students’ ability to apply knowledge and visualize solutions. Studies have shown that young children who take keyboard lessons have greater abstract reasoning abilities than their peers, and these abilities improve over time with sustained training in music.

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Sharpens student attentiveness

The ability to pay attention—visual focus, active listening and staying on task—is essential to school performance. It begins to develop early in life and is continuously refined. Early childhood training in instrumental music improves these abilities. Attentiveness is an essential building block of engagement, a competency necessary for success in school and the workforce.

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Strengthens perseverance

Perseverance is the ability to continue towards a goal when presented with obstacles. It is developed and strengthened through music education. Students involved in music lessons surpass their peers on tasks measuring perseverance. At the foundation of perseverance are motivation, commitment and persistence, all traits of creative individuals.

My Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is to provide students with knowledge and information to help them appreciate music and the related fine arts. I want them to be actively listening, participating and learning to express themselves through music. Check out my homepage to learn more about playing the guitar.

My Teaching Style

I am very patient and versatile. My Beginning Guitar Lessons are tailor-made based on the personality, attitude, interests and talent of each of my students. In my experience every student is unique and has their own learning style which we respect.