Michael Ford

Concert BandCurriculum DesignLesson PlanningMusic FundamentalsPit Orchestra for MusicalsSmall SchoolsLevel: SecondaryPeer Leadership
Written By Dr. Elisa Janson Jones
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I have been a teacher and professional musician for over 20 years. I have had experiences in the classroom teaching grades 6-12, designing curriculum, served as music department head and started music programs from a blank classrooms with no equipment . These programs were beginner band, advanced band, choir, guitar and drumline.

I am currently an instrumental tutor with my own studio and have work for a district school system as instrumental specialist with focus on woodwinds. In my own private instrumental studio I caters to clarinet, saxophone and flute students of all ages. My time as military musicians taught me how to work with people of different types of backgrounds from around the world. It also allowed me to see how musicians around the world are very similar.

My time in the United States Army Bands I managed budgets, equipment, purchases, book performances, and marketed those performance to the public. During my time as a professional musician and teacher. I have many years of experiences in my different types of musical groups that have helped me grow as musician and a desire to help other musicians be better together.

 
 

  • When teaching the first step is find out what someone knows. In a music lessons I ask for the best piece they are able to play or if they don't know how to play what is the reason for you wanting to play an instrument? After this information is know then you can start planning on how to help the person. This also allows you focus on both strengths and weakness. Also I don't focus on just the weakness I make sure that the strength helps to make the musician better overall. The goal of any music teacher should be that student leaves with more confidence and better player than when the met you. This is no matter the first or 20th time. I also teach musicians in my studio how to detect errors in the performance. This help them to correct it as the go and become better quicker. There are many teacher approaches that I utilize in lessons and alway talyor my lessons to each student.

  • As mentor it is alway good to be a good listener and to think about what the person is going through. It also good to see the accomplishments and along with improvements that might help you along the way. Trying to give a person many different ways to think is also important in the mentorship. You should have something to offer them and they should also have perspective that you have had or heard someone else had. Having answers is also a good, there have been time where I have ask for help there has been no answer to accompany my question. Even if you haven't been in the situation it is good to let them know and have thought of possible solution and how to implement them. Checking on progress is important did one of the ideas work and for how long or is it still working? Ask questions after really listening to the person and how this fit within their goals .

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Dr. Elisa Janson Jones

Dr. Elisa Jones designs and scales learning systems for organizations and individuals. With an EdD in Instructional Design, an MBA in Strategy, and 20+ years building education platforms, she combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution experience.

She works at the intersection of people, systems, and technology—helping leaders and learners see what's actually working and what needs to change. Her approach is diagnostic, grounded in real-world constraints, and focused on outcomes that stick.

Learn more about her work at sovereign.plus, elisajones.ai, and the Music Teacher Guild.

https://elisajanson.com
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