About Me
Email COnversations
Amanda Barrett
Hey Renato,
After watching your video a few times I feel like I have a better understanding of what music means to you. I really enjoyed how openly you expressed your passion for music in the video.
You mentioned that you were surrounded by music from a young age, but there a period of time you strayed away from music. How did you end up coming back to music? Was there a certain moment or individual that inspired you, or did you simply realize something was missing from your life without music?
I had a similar experience with beginning piano lessons at a young age, but not continuing. Did you begin piano lessons again, or did you simply teach yourself from there since you already had the basics?
I think that we were both lucky to have a music teacher who really inspired us and taught us how to have our own passion towards music. How will you use that experience of having an influential music teacher to help share music and inspire others?
Lastly, you stated at the end of the video that you plan to go into either performance or composition, yet you are in the Into to Music Education class, so I'm curious if music education is at all a career option for you?
Overall, I really enjoyed your video and appreciated your honesty about your experiences in music.
Thanks,
Amanda
Renato Araujo
Thanks for telling me what you thought I greatly appreciate it! And well I came back to music by just finding my old piano books and remembering that playing piano and music overall was still a joy to me and that’s when I thought of pursuing it as a career. I never really had a specific individual that inspired me to come back to it but I will say that the bands and music I got into inspired me so a lot of urban music and some rock from the 80’s and 90’s got me inspired to do it. But I would say more so that I felt something was missing from my life.
I went back to doing piano lessons I do not think that I had the knowledge to figure it out but now that I am in university I do not have the time for the piano lessons so I am now teaching myself and asking piano majors to critique my playing when they have the time.
Yeah my vocal teacher and even orchestral music teacher in high school helped me realize that not all music that should be taught has to be strict and follow a specific form for music is music and as long as we enjoy it through different areas of how it affects us than it shouldn’t be something that specific students cultivated for music or have a “music brain” should take.
And well I have thought about music education which is why I am taking this course because I always want to be able to teach music even if it isn’t my occupation at the time because I feel as though everyone should understand music yet in their own ways.
Thanks,
Renato
Renato Araujo
When watching your video a few times, I really enjoyed it!! I can see how we can both relate by having a musical family, now are they one of your primary role models of why you went into music? And do they continue to encourage you to keep pursuing what you love?
You said you played the saxophone, trombone and even piano, do you think knowing the methods of different instruments helped you understand music and further make your enjoyment of music that much better? Also, just an additional question since you know all these instruments which is very impressive would you say that to you, music comes easily, and if so how will you put what you know to make music easier and of more fun and value to those who are just starting to learn music?
During your group experiences in ensembles and performances how would you incorporate these towards teaching students? Would you want them to have the same experiences you did so that they can have a passion for music just like you did? Also, I am jealous you got to travel to London England. Overall, I really liked your video and am inspired by your passion for music! I bet you will be a great music teacher with your experiences and knowledge.
Thanks,
Renato
Amanda Barrett
Hi Renato,
I think it's pretty inspiring to be able to move forward with piano without any formal lessons or teacher. You have really captured the idea that music is form of expression, not just a subject or discipline, and I think continuing to follow your love for piano without being enrolled in piano lessons reflects that.
Your use of " music brain" is so interesting because it completely describes how many individuals view school and music within the classroom. We are taught from a young age that to be successful we must memorize information, adopt it as our own opinion, then regurgitate it back out into the world. Music, to an extent, goes against those norms because it is, as you mentioned, unique to the individual. I believe that is a major aspect of why music isn't always accessed in the world of academics.
I think it is great that you are in the music education class because though many people may think of "music education" as music in the school system or in private lessons, music is a large part of our culture, so opportunities for teaching and sharing your musical knowledge is not limited to specific careers.
I wish you all the best in your future musical endeavours!
Amanda
Amanda Barrett
Hi again,
I just wanted to thank you for your feedback on my video! To answer your questions, yes my family was definitely a major influence in my decision to pursue music. Being raised surrounded by music, it was almost inevitable that I would continue with it for as long as I could. When I was little, I would play "school" with my stuffed animals, and create math assignments and spelling tests for them. My family admits now that they always saw me becoming a teacher, so a music teacher is the best of both worlds for me! They have always supported me in everything I did. My parents had a very encouraging parenting style and they never pushed me into anything I didn't want to do, so when I decided to pursue music as a career, they were nothing but supportive.
I definitely think there were benefits as well as disadvantages in playing multiple instruments. While it did allow me to explore music in a broader range as each instrument had a unique contribution to ensembles and were learned with different teaching styles, playing various instruments at the same time limited my ability to develop on the trumpet. I wouldn't say music necessarily comes easy to me; however, because I enjoy it so much, I am more successful in it because I want to take the time to learn and grow. I think allowing students to explore music and have their own musical experiences is an important method of teaching individuals to enjoy music.
Well I of course want students to experience the same opportunities I did in music, I also think it is important for them to form their own relationship with music through their own personal experiences. I also think that education is constantly changing, so by the time I begin teaching, there will be so many more amazing opportunities and ways of teaching music, and I would not want to stand in the way of anyone reaching their potential because I am forcing them to experience the same opportunities I did.
Thanks again for your questions. I really enjoyed hearing your feedback!
Amanda
Renato Araujo
Hi sorry about the late email however that’s so cool that you would pretend to be a teacher with your stuffed animals! My family thought the same of me when I always explained to them actual music terminology and taught some of my little cousins how to play the piano. I agree with how family and friends are the best way for support when pursuing a dream or goal of yours. Giving your students new and personal experiences is what I am all about as well so I greatly appreciate your ideas on it as well with your broader range you’ll be a wonderful music educator!! Also I think its crazy how far along music education has come and it will probably change so we will possibly need to be able to adapt to how we teach as the years go by
Thanks for further explaining your ideas I really enjoyed reading your thoughts!
Renato
Hey Renato,
After watching your video a few times I feel like I have a better understanding of what music means to you. I really enjoyed how openly you expressed your passion for music in the video.
You mentioned that you were surrounded by music from a young age, but there a period of time you strayed away from music. How did you end up coming back to music? Was there a certain moment or individual that inspired you, or did you simply realize something was missing from your life without music?
I had a similar experience with beginning piano lessons at a young age, but not continuing. Did you begin piano lessons again, or did you simply teach yourself from there since you already had the basics?
I think that we were both lucky to have a music teacher who really inspired us and taught us how to have our own passion towards music. How will you use that experience of having an influential music teacher to help share music and inspire others?
Lastly, you stated at the end of the video that you plan to go into either performance or composition, yet you are in the Into to Music Education class, so I'm curious if music education is at all a career option for you?
Overall, I really enjoyed your video and appreciated your honesty about your experiences in music.
Thanks,
Amanda
Renato Araujo
Thanks for telling me what you thought I greatly appreciate it! And well I came back to music by just finding my old piano books and remembering that playing piano and music overall was still a joy to me and that’s when I thought of pursuing it as a career. I never really had a specific individual that inspired me to come back to it but I will say that the bands and music I got into inspired me so a lot of urban music and some rock from the 80’s and 90’s got me inspired to do it. But I would say more so that I felt something was missing from my life.
I went back to doing piano lessons I do not think that I had the knowledge to figure it out but now that I am in university I do not have the time for the piano lessons so I am now teaching myself and asking piano majors to critique my playing when they have the time.
Yeah my vocal teacher and even orchestral music teacher in high school helped me realize that not all music that should be taught has to be strict and follow a specific form for music is music and as long as we enjoy it through different areas of how it affects us than it shouldn’t be something that specific students cultivated for music or have a “music brain” should take.
And well I have thought about music education which is why I am taking this course because I always want to be able to teach music even if it isn’t my occupation at the time because I feel as though everyone should understand music yet in their own ways.
Thanks,
Renato
Renato Araujo
When watching your video a few times, I really enjoyed it!! I can see how we can both relate by having a musical family, now are they one of your primary role models of why you went into music? And do they continue to encourage you to keep pursuing what you love?
You said you played the saxophone, trombone and even piano, do you think knowing the methods of different instruments helped you understand music and further make your enjoyment of music that much better? Also, just an additional question since you know all these instruments which is very impressive would you say that to you, music comes easily, and if so how will you put what you know to make music easier and of more fun and value to those who are just starting to learn music?
During your group experiences in ensembles and performances how would you incorporate these towards teaching students? Would you want them to have the same experiences you did so that they can have a passion for music just like you did? Also, I am jealous you got to travel to London England. Overall, I really liked your video and am inspired by your passion for music! I bet you will be a great music teacher with your experiences and knowledge.
Thanks,
Renato
Amanda Barrett
Hi Renato,
I think it's pretty inspiring to be able to move forward with piano without any formal lessons or teacher. You have really captured the idea that music is form of expression, not just a subject or discipline, and I think continuing to follow your love for piano without being enrolled in piano lessons reflects that.
Your use of " music brain" is so interesting because it completely describes how many individuals view school and music within the classroom. We are taught from a young age that to be successful we must memorize information, adopt it as our own opinion, then regurgitate it back out into the world. Music, to an extent, goes against those norms because it is, as you mentioned, unique to the individual. I believe that is a major aspect of why music isn't always accessed in the world of academics.
I think it is great that you are in the music education class because though many people may think of "music education" as music in the school system or in private lessons, music is a large part of our culture, so opportunities for teaching and sharing your musical knowledge is not limited to specific careers.
I wish you all the best in your future musical endeavours!
Amanda
Amanda Barrett
Hi again,
I just wanted to thank you for your feedback on my video! To answer your questions, yes my family was definitely a major influence in my decision to pursue music. Being raised surrounded by music, it was almost inevitable that I would continue with it for as long as I could. When I was little, I would play "school" with my stuffed animals, and create math assignments and spelling tests for them. My family admits now that they always saw me becoming a teacher, so a music teacher is the best of both worlds for me! They have always supported me in everything I did. My parents had a very encouraging parenting style and they never pushed me into anything I didn't want to do, so when I decided to pursue music as a career, they were nothing but supportive.
I definitely think there were benefits as well as disadvantages in playing multiple instruments. While it did allow me to explore music in a broader range as each instrument had a unique contribution to ensembles and were learned with different teaching styles, playing various instruments at the same time limited my ability to develop on the trumpet. I wouldn't say music necessarily comes easy to me; however, because I enjoy it so much, I am more successful in it because I want to take the time to learn and grow. I think allowing students to explore music and have their own musical experiences is an important method of teaching individuals to enjoy music.
Well I of course want students to experience the same opportunities I did in music, I also think it is important for them to form their own relationship with music through their own personal experiences. I also think that education is constantly changing, so by the time I begin teaching, there will be so many more amazing opportunities and ways of teaching music, and I would not want to stand in the way of anyone reaching their potential because I am forcing them to experience the same opportunities I did.
Thanks again for your questions. I really enjoyed hearing your feedback!
Amanda
Renato Araujo
Hi sorry about the late email however that’s so cool that you would pretend to be a teacher with your stuffed animals! My family thought the same of me when I always explained to them actual music terminology and taught some of my little cousins how to play the piano. I agree with how family and friends are the best way for support when pursuing a dream or goal of yours. Giving your students new and personal experiences is what I am all about as well so I greatly appreciate your ideas on it as well with your broader range you’ll be a wonderful music educator!! Also I think its crazy how far along music education has come and it will probably change so we will possibly need to be able to adapt to how we teach as the years go by
Thanks for further explaining your ideas I really enjoyed reading your thoughts!
Renato
Student teacher perspectives
**(click "closed captions" to see subtitles in the clips that are hard to understand)**