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.
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“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
Teaching Philosophy (PDF)
Read
student and teacher comments
Teaching
Focus
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“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 |
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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