Educator
Justin Lewis loves making music, but he has always found even more joy in passing along the knowledge and experience he has received in music - especially to young minds that are inquisitive and eager. That is the reason why Justin has trained as an educator in a classroom setting and as a instructor in the pedagogical setting.
Currently, Justin is employed as a cello instructor at Penn State University. His main responsibilities consist of teaching all students at the University that are interesting in learning to play the cello. Justin also serves as the assistant to Professor Kim Cook. This role allows him to aid all cello majors by giving additional lessons when extra help may be needed. Justin also coaches chamber music for undergraduates.
The base of Justin's methodological approach lies with his deep affinity to Dr. Shinichi Suzuki and his 'Mother Tongue Theory' and the accompanied teaching approach, which Dr. Suzuki called 'Talent Education.' When Justin turned 18, he began taking Suzuki teacher training and continued ever summer for many years until he became completely certified by the Suzuki Association of the Americas to teach beginning cellists through Book 4. That training prepared Justin to teach at cello studios in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Princeton, New Jersey. He also has served on faculties at the Conservatory of Musical Arts in Haddonfield, New Jersey and The Haddonfield School for Boys. He currently serves on the faculty of The Arts Conservatory of Central Pennsylvania.
Justin is also completing his certification in Music Education so by the spring of 2009, he will be certified to teach music from grades k-12 in the public schools throughout Pennsylvania and 43 other states that accept Pennsylvania Teacher Certificates. To help him be well prepared in the classroom and in the rehearsal room , Justin is becoming trained in Music Learning Theory and he is studying how to be effective in choral, instrumental and general music settings. These classes are accompanied by courses in teaching brass, woodwind, strings, percussion, guitar and piano courses as well as psychology, child development, and special education courses.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARLY WORK:
Philosophy of Music Education
Sample Teaching Video and Documents
The Integration of Suzuki Into the Public Schools
Unit Plan Online Study Guide: Rossini and the William Tell Overture