Meta Hoepfner-Homme

Meta Hoepfner-Homme: Enthusiastic, Fun and Intensive Music Teacher Biography/ Teaching Philosophy: I am a music teacher having come from the Toronto area with a whole lifetime of musical experience. I was born to a musical family; my grandfather was Bob Homme, aka the Friendly Giant, who was a huge influence on me as a child and also continues to be as an adult, as we share the same passions; guiding children in the way of music, reading, and making the most use of the imagination in a gentle but firm way. He taught me to not talk down to children, but to communicate with them in a way they can understand, namely images, sound, and wordplay. There is no need to condescend, and very often they are eager to learn, and naturally curious. I have developed a teaching method these past 20 years on how to reach children and nurture their natural instincts to learn, with attention to making sure they don't feel discouraged, pressured, or negative towards their instrument. Any pressure is a friendly motivation, a friendly competition through being inspired by other children, or beautiful music they themselves would like to excel at. My father was Bob Homme's son, Richard Homme, who was a session bassist, having played with many amazing musicians, including Heart, k.d. Lang, Oscar Peterson, Holly Cole, Loreena McKennit, was in Hagood Hardy's band, touring all over the world from Morocco to Spain to Bahamas to Mexico to Japan to Germany, among many others. When he was young, one of his bass teachers was Ron Carter, Miles Davis' bass player. He lived the life of a musician, so this is what I know. The way he influenced me as a musician is to have high, impeccable standards for myself and to not settle for sub-par performance. I aim to influence my students to do the same, and to realize this for themselves. My other grandfather, Paul Hoepfner, was a gypsy jazz violinist from Germany. He influenced me with his passion and gusto and creative fire. He was my muse as I practiced violin, growing up. All three of these family members (among many other amazing teachers, musical and otherwise) have helped shaped my philosophy: 1) Using gentle nurturing, warmth, intelligence, enthusiasm, and good communication as key to creating a good practicing and learning environment. Also, exposing students to a wide variety of musical styles and ideas is important, especially in this day and age where everything is spread so thin. Being aware of the origins of many styles of music is healthy to know about as a musician. 2) Guiding students to be self-motivated and rise to standards of greatness, solidity, quality, and excellence. Practicing good posture and technique is a large part of this. 3) Showing students how to express themselves and feel the music, how to use their own personal sense of creativity to their fullest. I am a Suzuki trained violinist, and graduated from Royal Conservatory of Music grade 10 with Honours. I have played in many youth orchestras, adult orchestras, string trios/quartets/quintets, chamber groups (including SOCMI with David Zafer), and have also done solo performances with piano accompaniment. Graduating grade 10 is an equivalent to a University degree in music, and includes achieving grade 5 harmony, grade 5 history, and grade 6 piano. I took a Suzuki teacher training course in Guelph, Ontario, and passed with 100%. I have aught privately, coached quartets/quintets, and taught group lessons at a few Suzuki camps in Ontario, as well. I am also strongly influenced by the Suzuki method. I have been teaching privately at various schools and from my home since 1996. The following are my prime values as a teacher: 1) Musical Understanding/Tonalization: Children and adults alike should cultivate their ears before sight reading, (be able to sound out a song, or at least whether a note is higher or lower), but I do like to introduce sight reading quite early nonetheless, as a companion to ear training. I feel they should meld together, seeing the music on the page, they should be able to hear/equate it in their heads. Also, intonation is crucial in violin. It is very easy to make a note sound terrible, and a person can't be lazy with this. Tonalizations are exercises students do before each practice, ensuring that the notes are in tune, and being paid attention to carefully. 2) Ear Training is crucial: There are many fun games I play with kids to help them cultivate their ear and listening/observation skills. It is also a neat tool for kids who have trouble focusing. Some of my tests involve playing songs with your eyes closed, playing songs in new keys, copying what I play without looking, and even writing stories along with songs determined by the way the songs progress. I make sure that every song is memorized before they can proceed to the next one. 3) Imagery: Images, shapes, colours, metaphors are really helpful when communicating through music. 4) Repetition: Stressing repetition through practice and making it an enjoyable habit. Monitoring progress. 5) Recitals: It is always inspiring for kids to see other kids perform music. The beginners ahve a chance to see what is in store for them, and also a sense of friendly competition is created. Children have a chance to meet others who also play, and maybe even start other duets or quartets with them. It is nice meeting like-minded individuals, and to feel they are actually performing, and communicating everything they have learned. A chance to feel special, recognized, and accomplished. Classes available: Private violin lessons, small group lessons (Suzuki, string quartets), children's choir (looking for new members), guitar lessons, theory lessons, beginner piano lessons, bass guitar lessons Where I am and how to get here: Crescent Valley, off Pass Creek rd. Email me for details: metameta@hotmail.com Prices: Private Violin Lessons: I charge $20/ half hour or $25/ 45 minutes Group Lessons/Choir: Email me for details Piano, guitar, bass, theory: Email me for details