FYI, this post is duplicated from my other blog, www.theoboist.blogspot.com
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"But history will judge you, and as the years pass, you will ultimately judge yourself, in the extent to which you have used your gifts and talents to lighten and enrich the lives of your fellow men. In your hands lies the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit"
-Robert F. Kennedy (speech at Berkeley, 1966)
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Oboists, let's make our world a little better (and smaller) starting today.
Service to our communities and the world can come in so many beautiful forms. Over the years I have volunteered at the local homeless shelter, given as generously to the food banks as my professor salary allows, support environmental causes, etc, etc. These are things that most people in my community have the skill set to do as time and generosity allows. But when I considered how I might use my specialized skill set (including a doctorate in oboe performance and pedagogy and 12 years teaching at the college level) to serve others in the world, my brain started spinning with this question:
What if EVERY OBOIST who wanted to take oboe lessons with an oboe specialist had the opportunity to do so, regardless of location in the world or ability to pay ?
I often take on students for reduced rates to serve my community. It's a small action on my part but I believe it is really important to the students and families I can serve. Currently this blog reaches readers from over 60 different countries, many of whom do not have access to oboe lessons in their communities. But proximity to a teacher is no longer an issue with the use of free online video communication tools such as Skype , ooVoo , or Google Chat , for online lessons.
So my question to you is this:
Would you like to take oboe lessons but either don't know how to find a teacher or can't afford the usual lesson fees? Or can you think of someone who might be able to benefit from this service? Or maybe you'd like a lesson or two to work with a topic I've written about?
If so, I am here to help. I am willing to provide 2 online lessons (30 minutes each) to you on a "pay as you are able scale." My usual rate is $30 per lesson, but please know that I am willing to teach you at a price that accommodates your budget, including free lessons. After those two lessons, we will either continue lessons or find a teacher (either near where you live or online) who can best match your needs. For those interested in virtual lessons who are able to pay a fair rate for lessons, I ask that you please do so--this will provide the resources to support teaching those who cannot.
contact me at: OboeForEveryone@gmail.com for more information
This brings me to the second question:
Can I facilitate a network of oboe teachers, reed makers, repair specialists, etc. who might be interested in sharing their specialized skill set to those with limited financial resources?
Oboe teachers--would you be willing to take on a student either in person or online for a reduced rate in order to serve your community and profession? If so, I'd love to meet you!
contact me at OboeForEveryone@gmail.com for more information
College oboe majors--would you like to gain experience teaching beginning players? Fantastic! Let's connect:
contact me at OboeForEveryone@gmail.com for more information
contact me at OboeForEveryone@gmail.com for more information
To current oboe instructors:
First and foremost, please know I have no intention of taking students away from their current teachers by undercutting the price of lessons. Many musicians make their living by the amazing work they do as lesson teachers, and in no way do I want to steal students away from their teachers. It is my desire to provide the opportunity for lessons to those who, because of financial resources or current location, are unable to do so. For those interested in lessons who are able to pay a fair rate for lessons, I ask that you please do so. It is my hope that this network will assist in pairing qualified teachers with students either in their communities or online.
First and foremost, please know I have no intention of taking students away from their current teachers by undercutting the price of lessons. Many musicians make their living by the amazing work they do as lesson teachers, and in no way do I want to steal students away from their teachers. It is my desire to provide the opportunity for lessons to those who, because of financial resources or current location, are unable to do so. For those interested in lessons who are able to pay a fair rate for lessons, I ask that you please do so. It is my hope that this network will assist in pairing qualified teachers with students either in their communities or online.
Let's do all that we can to connect with others to share our love of music and our oboe skills. And please forward this post to anyone else you think might be interested. Who's game?
"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment; we can start now, start slowly changing the world!" --Anne Frank (diary entry, 1944)
Oboe and out,
Dr. G
"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment; we can start now, start slowly changing the world!" --Anne Frank (diary entry, 1944)
Oboe and out,
Dr. G
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