Mr. Slawson

Education: The Juilliard School    
Length of time teaching: 38 years; Percussion Clinician

 

What is the most important life lesson you want a child to learn in your classroom?
The disciplines required to develop skills in music impact all areas of one’s life. Social skills, patience, organization, time management and problem solving are essential to being creative and successful.

 

What motivated you to become a teacher?
Relentless dedication and hard work afforded me the opportunity to study with some of the most accomplished teachers in the music field. Their offerings and guidance taught me the value of passing on one’s knowledge to new generations of aspiring students.

 

If teaching was not your first professional career, what was?
How did you transition into teaching? Before I became a teacher, I was a performer, recording artist and studio musician. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than bringing my hands-on experience as a player and performer into the classroom.

 

How do you inspire students to enjoy learning?
By paying close attention to the nuanced details in the music and giving life to every note on the page.

 

What are some of your interests and passions outside of the classroom?
Having grown up with dogs as part of the family unit, I developed a life-long love for them, particularly the Boxer breed. I also love the game of baseball. Like many others, I grew up sharing baseball with my father. Watching baseball games never fails to relax me and evokes timeless memories in a uniquely American setting.