James Walter
About
Hi There!
My name is Jimmy Walter and I am a Master of Music student at the University of New Mexico-College of Fine Arts. Currently, I am the Graduate Assistant for Enchantment Wind Quintet (UNM's Graduate Wind Quintet) and a student of Professor Valerie Potter. I received my Bachelor of Music from the University of Northern Colorado, where I studied under Dr. James Hall and Brook Ferguson. Dr. James Hall is a world renowned soloist and Brook Ferguson is the Principal Flutist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and River Oak Chamber Orchestra.
I specialize in flute pedagogy and general music. In the form of flute pedagogy, I am able to teach students in lessons by helping them learn and sharpen skills on the flute and to become a better musician. I am able to teach a range of instruments in the flute family, specifically the piccolo, concert flute, alto flute, and bass flute. In the form of general music, I am able to teach beginner music and music theory. Specifically teaching the basic principals of music and how to better understand it. Being able to read the music, write it, and analyze it.
My teaching philosophy has been shaped on how my professors and previous teachers have taught me. There are many things I think of when I am teaching. The first is, how is the student doing today? Are they emotionally in check? How far can I push them? Can I push them far today, or do I need to let them be expressive? The emotions that your student shows can determine a lot of how they will learn during that lesson. However, that doesn't mean that I am in the clouds and will let the student do as they please every lesson. The student is here to learn and I'm going to make sure that during the lesson, they will learn at least one new concept. I also believe in the philosophy that not every student and I will be able to work together well. There is nothing nothing wrong with that as it doesn't make me a worse teacher and it doesn't make the student a bad student. So, a lot of my philosophy revolves around emotions and making sure that everyone is comfortable.
Bachelor of Music-Performance University of Northern Colorado Class of 2020
Master of Music-Performance University of New Mexico Class of 2022
Students will learn to strengthen their flute playing through focusing on their fundamentals through practice. Fundamentals will comprise of:
-Tones Studies
-Intonation Studies
-Scales and Technique
-Articulation Studies
I implement several texts for students depending on what stage of their learning journey they are on. Beginners will typically learn from the Rubank Elementary Method books and continue the Rubank series until they're ready to move onto method books by Altes, Moyse, Trevor Wye, Patricia George, and Patricia Morris, just to name a few.