Here’s how I see my job as a private instructor.
My goal with private students – whether in composition, voice, jazz piano, or anything else – is to serve as an extra brain.
It’s not my job to criticize or diminish (though I may, when warranted). It’s not my job to guide them into writing, playing, or singing more like me.
It’s my job, first, to build trust. Second, it’s my job to use that trust to allow them to bring their work – their unfinished, rough, good, bad, creative, or derivative work – to me. And then for my brain to be an extra tool temporarily in their toolbox to make the work better. I’m helping them be better versions of themselves.
Along the way, we’ll be filling their toolbox with ideas and strategies that will be useful to them after we stop our lessons.