Teacher Feature: Teacher Denise

Hi everyone!

I’m Denise, the face behind the articles on Bloom’s blog!

Besides being the resident blogger, I’m currently also teaching Musikgarten’s Family Music for Babies (FMB), and Family Music for Toddlers (FMT) programmes at Bloom School of Music & Arts.

Here are some titbits about me!

 

 

How did your interest in music start?

I started with music lessons at Yamaha when I was about 5 years old. My interest in learning the electone organ carried on into my teens, until I got busier with work, and had my first child. I stopped formal lessons when I failed my Grade 6 exams! I still continue to play leisurely, or when work needs me!

 

What instruments do you play?

I play the electone organ. Some day, I would like to learn how to play the ukulele!

 

Can you tell us about a special music teacher?

The most memorable teacher has to be my electone teacher, Ms Georgia. Her sharp wits, down-to-earth demeanour, patience, encouragement and support made every lesson an enjoyable one. She often went out of her way to help us, and she always taught us without nagging, scoldings, or punishments.

 

What was your favourite moment in class?

Now that I am teaching myself, my favourite moments (I can never just choose one!) in FMB or FMT classes are definitely when the child(ren) is able to respond in their own way to my musical questioning. It is testament of the benefits of learning through play, and I am very appreciative of parents who are consciously supportive of this key developmental process.

 

Do you have any musical heroes or heroines?

I grew up in the 90s, during the boy band era. Besides the music my Dad casually introduced to me throughout my life, my biggest music inspiration remains these boys from a1. They stood out from the rest of the popular boy bands at the same time (Westlife, Boyzone, N*Sync, to name a few) because they are not only good at singing, but they also played musical instruments, and they also composed their own songs! Talk about talent! And of course, they are super good-looking 😎

 

Is there a piece of music which has a particular meaning to you?

Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer is one of those tunes that you’d hear and recognise but don’t ever know the title (such as Johann Strauss II’s The Blue Danube Waltz). Eventually you’d come across it, and then it remains in your mind for the rest of your life. This piece of ragtime evokes a lot of happy, familiar, nostalgic feelings for me, because its tune is also generally cheery and uplifting.

 

What you would you like to say to our budding musicians?

Thank you for taking the effort to learn a new instrument!
I am so glad that you get to experience all the benefits of
playing music, making music, and listening to music.
I hope you continue to embrace music in your life,
and that you can be the next musician/artist who will inspire us all in future.

 

💗

 

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