20 | The Art of Teaching Transfer Students: Interview with Jennifer Smele

In this Podcast: Every music teacher knows how challenging it is to get started with a new music student. Our special Guest Jennifer Smele talks about working with transfer students (students who have had previous lesson experience with another teacher). She shares her research and teaching strategies from her very informative workshop “The Art Of Teaching Transfer Students”  This includes the challenges of screening students, setting boundaries and dealing with the students who feel they are further ahead in their studies than they actually may be.

About our Guest:
Jennifer Smele is very active in the Brampton music community as both a performer and teacher. She holds her Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Toronto where she studied with Dr. Midori Koga. Before this, she completed her Bachelor of Music (Education) at the University of Western Ontario, her A.R.C.T. Performer’s diploma, and her Associate Teaching diploma with Conservatory Canada.  Throughout her studies, Jennifer was the recipient of several academic awards including the prestigious Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

Jennifer is an active member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners and enjoys adjudicating music festivals throughout Ontario. She is a regular guest clinician at the University of Toronto and her workshop, “The Challenges and Rewards of Teaching Transfer Students: Maximizing Success with Every Music Student” has been received by O.R.M.T.A. groups with positive acclaim.

Jennifer is a versatile, professional vocal and instrumental accompanist. She performs regularly at a variety of venues including nursing homes and churches throughout Ontario. She spent July 2013 completing a collaborative piano internship with Music Theatre Bavaria in Oberaudorf, Germany and recently pursued studies in the field mindfulness practice and performance with Madeline Bruser from New York. Jennifer is currently excited to be pursuing studies in the field Dalcroze Eurythmics, combining her passions for movement, music, and improvisation.

If you are interested in contacting Jennifer about her teacher workshop: [email protected]