Hiyori Williams’ Teaching Philosophy
As a teacher, I want to do all I can to create a wonderfully fun, richly engaging experience for my students so that they develop both as musicians and critically thinking people. A private studio is a safe haven for students to try, to succeed, to fail (and to do so quickly!); I love seeing growth at all levels through the work we do, making beautiful sounds in repertoire that is amazing.
I do not agree with a one-size-fits-all approach to teaching; rather, I always try to meet students at their point of need. In my own journey, there were many instances where I felt dismissed because teachers did not take the time to ensure every student understood the material. In response, I create concrete, understandable, and achievable lesson plans that set goals so students feel successful and do not feel pressured to compare their progress to anyone else. They are individuals and move successfully at their own pace.
I work thoughtfully to create a compassionate and positive environment. I want my studio to be a place of exploration, growth, and positive reinforcement, in particular for those who do not have ideal circumstances outside of school. When students feel trust in our relationship, outgrowths include a healthy relationship with learning and a sense of self-value. When I see this happen, it provides me with tremendous joy.
I believe that we as teachers must constantly be improving our pedagogy and all aspects of delivery. We must have a large toolbox to draw from when helping students find creative solutions to challenging problems. I do this by attending conferences and utilizing a variety of pedagogies such as the Suzuki method, O’Connor method, Zeichner method, and many others. I also attend masterclasses with other teachers constantly, looking for ways to expand my knowledge and teaching style.
My objective is to ensure that each student has a sense of enjoyment and satisfaction after each lesson, and over time, experiences a transformation that impacts their musical life, academic experiences, and personal growth. For me, teaching is truly a labor of love for which I have tremendous passion.