NINA ASSIMAKOPOULOS
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TEACHING PHILOPSOPHY |
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Nina Assimakopoulos’ 17 years of teaching experience include one-on-one work with K-12 students, artist residencies, public master classes, large group seminars and workshops, and undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level instruction. She has held teaching positions in Munich, Germany at the Volkschule Für Musik, Heimstetten, in New York at the Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton College and College of Musical Arts, Bowling Green State University where she has been Assistant Professor of Flute since 2004.
“During a lifetime one should hope to be fortunate enough to work with one of those extremely rare, very special teachers who has the remarkable ability of guiding others on a path of knowledge that makes a lasting impact on their lives.. Nina Assimakopoulos is such a teacher. She is a remarkable musician and teacher with the gift of motivating and inspiring students, teachers and peers. She has the insight and ability to reach a wide variety of learning styles and build self confidence, self worth, focus and motivation.”
Andrea M. Papoutsy, Artist-in-Residence Coordinator/Instrumental Director, Rye Schools
Read student and teacher comments
Teaching Focus |
| “An important component of my work with students is the cultivation of a creative and supportive learning environment and community. My teaching promotes vision and creative expression, the stimulation of ideas and realization of aspirations, and celebrates growth and accomplishment. I encourage dialogue and the exchange of ideas and insights. I motivate my students to become their own teachers, think outside the box, find and effectively articulate their own ‘voice’, and integrate sources outside the field of music into their learning, teaching and performing endeavors.”– Nina Assimakopoulos
“Her passion for life and music is exceedingly evident in her playing and her teaching…she is warm, energetic, demanding and nurturing with her students. She has the ability to maintain a high level of expectation with those under her tutelage, while continuing to treat them cordially and with genuine respect.” Gary Stith Associate Professor of Music, Greatbatch School of Music, Houghton, New York
My teaching incorporates many techniques and focuses. Here I list what I consider to be my primary areas of focus.
Mind and Body
·Mind and body awareness
·Ease, grace, and efficiency of breathing
·Absence of unnecessary tension
·Balance of effort and effortlessness
·Creative intent and direction
·Vocal singing techniques
·Poise and stage presence
·Memorization
·Use of the body and self as the instrument |
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Technique and Artistry
·Expression of value, contrast, texture, emotion, and contour (etc) in music
·Tone resonance and color
·Close finger proximity and relaxed touch
·Vowel placement
·Air and breath regulation
·Resonance and projection
·Score analysis and study
·Contemporary music and extended techniques
Teaching Skills
·Flexibility, creativity, and skill in reaching a variety of learning styles and ages
·Creative projects and learning activities
·Goal setting, time management, mentoring skills
Entrepreneurial Skills
·Public speaking and creative programming
·Professional portfolio building
·Repertoire building
·Building performing and college teaching careers
·Educational and community outreach
·Time Management
·Setting up private studios/ home run businesses
·Grant writing, competitions, audition preparation
·Arts integration
·New music commissioning
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