Sophie Tait
Moreno Valley,,CA
Summary
Accomplished, dedicated, and passionate educator with over 13 years of classroom and studio teaching experience. Provides warm, supportive mentorship to students of all ages and levels, ensuring consistent musical growth, enthusiasm for learning, and performance readiness. Creates a stimulating, upbeat learning environment that nurtures various learning styles and encourages students to achieve their unique musical goals.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Faculty
Riverside City College
02.2024 - Current
- Instruct Class Piano I-IV and Keyboard Proficiency to undergraduate students.
- Create detailed syllabi and thorough assignment sheets for each level.
- Provide engaging group lectures about piano repertoire, composers, and musical concepts.
- Plan creative group activities to reinforce subject material covered during class.
- Listen to each student individually to assess progress and give helpful, constructive feedback.
- Teach Applied Piano (private lessons) to piano majors, preparing them for juries and a public recital performance.
Piano Camp Executive Director
University of Redlands
01.2023 - Current
- Manage a dedicated team of teachers and volunteers, coordinating months in advance through emails and in-person meetings.
- Communicate with Conservatory of Music Director and office staff to ensure necessary rooms are reserved, applications are reviewed, and staff salaries are approved.
- Facilitate enriching and creative large group activities for young pianists, ages 9-18.
- Teach and co-teach classes to smaller groups of students, using a variety of pedagogical strategies and thoroughly developed lessons plans.
- Coach piano ensembles of 2-4 students, in preparation for a final concert.
Artist Teacher
University of Redlands Community School of Music
01.2011 - Current
- Provide stimulating and enjoyable private piano instruction to students of all ages and levels.
- Select solo piano repertoire in multiple styles that supports student learning and matches their playing abilities and strengths.
- Correct and address posture and piano technique in a friendly and constructive manner.
- Prepare students for fulfilling recital performances, offering guidance on musicality, technique, stage presence, and recital etiquette.
Visiting Lecturer
University of Redlands
09.2017 - 05.2020
- Taught six sections of Class Piano to undergraduate students in an engaging, nurturing, and encouraging classroom environment.
- Instructed Accompanying to undergraduate and graduate piano majors, combining group instruction, group discussions, and one-on-one coaching.
- Oversaw and coordinated all accompanying needs for the School of Music, collaborating with Artist Teachers and the Director of the School of Music.
- Co-created a new piano curriculum for three distinct levels of Class Piano, selecting specific repertoire and exercises that reinforced concepts learned in Music Theory I-III.
- Ensured all students successfully fulfilled their piano proficiency requirements by the conclusion of their sophomore year.
Education
Master of Music - Piano Performance
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA12.2016
Bachelor of Music - Piano Performance
University of Redlands
Redlands, CA05.2014
Skills
- Curriculum development
- Lesson planning
- Proficiency with learning management systems, such as Canvas and Moodle
- Technology integration
- Student mentoring and advising
- Expertise in piano performance and pedagogy
- Collaboration
- Reliability
- Leadership skills
- Managerial skills
- Attention to detail
- Effective Communication
Timeline
Associate Faculty
Riverside City College
02.2024 - Current
Piano Camp Executive Director
University of Redlands
01.2023 - Current
Visiting Lecturer
University of Redlands
09.2017 - 05.2020
Artist Teacher
University of Redlands Community School of Music
01.2011 - Current
Master of Music - Piano Performance
University of Redlands
Bachelor of Music - Piano Performance
University of Redlands
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