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TEACHING PHILOSOPHY What kinds of lessons have you taught?
· Music—piano, appreciation, singing, theory, composition, rhythm instruments, autoharp · Art Exploration—exploration of oils, watercolors, clay, drawing, pastels, art books, collage as desired · Writing—fiction, non-fiction, poetry
What is your teaching philosophy? While earning my B.S. degree in music education at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, I became extremely interested in individual learning styles. My past 15 years of teaching lessons which are customized to the learner have proven the academic theory to be correct. All learners are not created the same...but they’re all uniquely special! My interest in the value of creative development has also influenced the way I teach.
What age students have you taught? My students have ranged in age from 3 to 60something. All ages are welcome. Since young children are still developing physically and neurologically, it is not usually appropriate for them to start music lessons playing complete songs, just as they are not able to write or read. However, they thoroughly enjoy rhythm play, listening activities and elementary composition (making up songs and/or stories).
What about people who never want to perform, publish or exhibit their work? A good teacher spends time learning about her students. A student who wants to learn to write down the music she hears in her head will be taught with that in mind, while someone who wants to be able to play with a rock band will be approached from a different angle. While one student writes because she longs to be published, another writes so he can document his family’s story.
Is a Showcase an exhibit, a recital or what? The Showcase is a time for my private students to share what we’ve learned. For some, this means playing a solo prepared for the occasion. For others, this means demonstrating a skill (such as ribbon dancing while another student sings) acquired during the year. Students’ works of art are on display during the Showcase, and usually several students inform the audience about something they have researched during the year. We are also blessed to include more polished artists and musicians in an effort to expose students to a wide range of skill levels, musical and literary genre and artistic media.
Do you guarantee that each student will attain mastery of a certain group of skills? Not across the board. But I guarantee that, when a student leaves me, he or she will love music, art and/or writing at least as much as he or she did when we first met...hopefully even more.
What is your policy regarding practice? I believe that students who are enjoying what they are doing will spend time doing it. However, when I have a student who works better within a structured setting may benefit from a practice or assignment schedule that we agree upon together.
Can you teach someone with a learning disability? Yes, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing the difference that success can make in someone who has been told they can’t learn. A dyslexic first-grader came to me for piano lessons. While she never learned to played specific notes in a certain order, we found together that performance (using sound effects) and composition (putting sound effects in order) were a great joy for her. Her progress inspires me still.
If you still have questions or you know of someone who might be interested in group lessons, please Contact Me.
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CINDY PHIFFER Writer Musician Artist Teacher
Pull up a seat, kick your shoes off, pour a cup of coffee; Let’s have a little heart to heart! |
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To contact us: cindy@cindyphiffer.com |
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for your support… encouragement… & expertise. |
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PUBLISHED WRITING
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I am currently co-writing a play, The Scent of Peppermint, with Jill Hodges. The play opens with fiftysomething Grace Davenport, her newly widowed brother John Mack and the rest of the residents of fictitious Buleah, North Carolina, climbing all over themselves to attend the visitation for Old Man Player. Unwilling to leave his fortune to his rascal offspring, the old man is giving away his money through a drawing to take place at his own funeral. His instructions that the winner “must be present to win” bring the entire town to pay their respects at CastUrNets, the local bait shop, Pennycoastal Church and funeral home. By the time the town gathers at the Davenport home for their annual Halloween party, everyone from cousins Wy and Mae Bee Knott to Pastor Harmon Ize and his sons Rolin and Rovin has been touched by The Scent of Peppermint. We are currently working on the score. Will keep you posted. |
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Marianne Wilson wonders who could have set the fire that destroyed Bentwood Creek, the church she was raised in, eating dinners on the ground, singing four-part hymns by heart, and listening to fundamental sermons delivered passionately by her Grandpa Way, a third generation Church of Christ preacher. As a child growing up in the rural Middle Tennessee town of Middleton, Marianne (born Mary Anne Thomas) flourished in the sheltered environment, rich in tradition, if somewhat narrow in scope. But time has changed many things. Marianne’s faith was shaken by an disturbing incident with her closest cousin when she was in high school and by intellectual exploration in college. Now, Marianne wonders how she could have ever believed in a God who would allow her brother to become involved with a hate group and her family’s church home to go up in smoke. This novel invites readers to shift their perspective along with Marianne by Reserving Judgment. |
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CREATIVITY |
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The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron is a 13-week program to recover your creativity from blocks including fear, self-sabotage, guilt, and addictions and replace them with confidence and productivity by linking creativity to spirituality, showing in non-denominational terms how to tap into the source. Weekly sessions include sharing of our progress and related play activities. The cost is $100, due in full at the first meeting, essentially covers things like supplies and snacks, and does not include the book, which you can purchase at most bookstores. You will want to buy it new so you can fill it in yourself, unless you find a “used” copy that hasn’t been used! If you would like to know more about AW, please Contact Me. |
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THE ARTIST’S WAY |
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MUSIC |
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The Flatt Sisters My sisters and I love to sing. We’ve been singing together since we were little girls. Thanks to our parents’ love of music and our Church of Christ background, singing harmony is as natural to us as talking. My sisters—Phyllis Cooper and Jen Hilsher—and I have performed folk, gospel and inspirational easy rock songs acapella as well as with accompaniment by my husband (and our honorary Flatt Sister) Jim Phiffer! We’ve been privileged to sing at a variety of events, including church activities, private parties, funerals, reunions, 2003 Peace Day, Democratic Party events, Murfreesboro’s July 4th 2001 Celebration Under The Stars at MTSU, several Uncle Dave Macon Day celebrations, and the Bluebird Café. We’ll keep you posted on our public appearances so you can join us. For more information, Contact Me. |
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Writing-In-Progress |
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Wonderful group of AWers! Photo: Angie Steele. |
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Jim Phiffer Jim has been wailing away on the guitar since he was a kid. He loves playing the blues and has played with some talented folks, including Stevie Ray Vaughn, Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band), James Montgomery, Junior Wells, Mick Jagger, Paul Riddle (Marshall Tucker Band), Brian Setzer (Stray Cats), Chris Tuttle (The Fabulous Heavyweights), and the Uptown Horns. For more information about The Boomers, go to www.myspace.com/theboomers1 |
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Jim & The Boomers were a hit at the 2005 & 2007 blues festivals in Murfreesboro. |
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ENTERTAINING SONGWRITER COMING SOON to a location near you! To listen to our son’s music & keep up with his shows, go to |
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GROUP TUTORING |
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I’m excited to announce that I’m team teaching with Stephanie Cardel this school year at the Rutherford Tutorial Academy. She’ll be teaching World Literature and I’ll be the Creative Writing tutor for the class. |