So You Want to Become a Singer Heres How to Get There

So You Want to Become a Singer Heres How to Get There Suzy S. Private lessons? Check. Big dreams? Check! But theres one more part of the equation thats integral to become a singer and reach your career goals. Find out as Monclova, OH teacher Carrie A. explains I cant tell you how many students over the years have come to me saying they wanted to be on TV or Broadway. While those are great aspirations to go after, it really isnt the place to start to become a singer. What I have found is a great way to get started is to look for opportunities to perform right in your own community. It is seriously a huge long shot to go from never performing at all, to being chosen for some sort of reality show. Without preparation and experience, it can really be a recipe for disaster. I have performed in front on thousands of people numerous times, including once at Carnegie Hall. I, however, did not start there. I participated in lots of community theater, performed at weddings, did gigs at coffee shops, and performed at other small-scale venues before I had more distinguished opportunities. I understand the desire to perform in front of large audiences, but I strongly encourage my students to take advantage of every opportunity they have to perform, whether big or small. Every performance is an opportunity to learn, grow, and have fun. Im going to give you some suggestions that I have given to my students that have opened lots of doors for them. First, get a set list together. Whether you are a vocalist or instrumentalist, you need to have at least 10 songs prepared that you can use if someone gives you the opportunity to perform. Dont be in a hurry with this step. Look for songs that mean something to you and flow well together. Work with your music instructor to find what fits you and go with that. Second, gear up for rejection. You will be told no, probably multiple times. Dont stop until you get a yes! Im a professional singer and Ive had to deal with the same thing. Dont take it personally, just move on and get excited for when someone says yes. Third, connect with area charity organizations and ask if they need music at their next fundraiser. It will be a chance to use music to strengthen the community and possibly create more connections for future performances. Fourth, think of places you can give back and get performance experience at the same time. For example, lots of nursing homes will jump at the chance to have you come and entertain their guests. Finally, dont look down on any opportunity that comes your way. Remember in the beginning its all about getting yourself out there and letting people know you are available, and honing your skills at the same time. If that means you start by singing the national anthem at a local high school basketball game, so be it. One of my students did that very thing and now is invited by major car racing events to do the national anthem where she sings in front of 30,000 people and the event is televised. Bottom line in the beginning nothing is too small if you really want to become a singer. Enjoy where you are and build to a great future in music! Carrie A. teaches guitar and singing lessons, and tutors in various subjects, in Monclova, OH.  She has a BA in music and business, and has been teaching and performing professionally for over 10 years. Learn more about Carrie here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by COD Newsroom

Explore the Fretboard With These 5 Essential Pentatonic Scale Shapes

Explore the Fretboard With These 5 Essential Pentatonic Scale Shapes Megan L. Knowing your pentatonic scales on the guitar will open up a new world of possibility when it comes to improvisation and soloing. Guitar teacher  Milton J.  explains why The guitar is a wonderfully rewarding instrument to play. Its versatility lends itself to a variety of melodies and chords that make the instrument welcome in many musical genres. As we find all of the wonderful ways the guitar will bring musical joy to your life, an essential part of learning the guitar is understanding the pentatonic scale and how to find it on the fretboard. The Pentatonic scale is a musical mode made up of five notes per octave, which contrasts to the normal heptatonic, or seven-note, scale such as the major scale and minor scales we learned early on in our guitar lessons. Understanding the construction of the major pentatonic scale is made easier by using the circle of fifths. One construction takes five consecutive pitches from this circle of fifths starting on C, these being C, G, D, A, and E. Transposing, or rearranging, these pitches to fit into one octave gives us a major pentatonic scale: C, D, E, G, A. However, most commonly used for blues and lead guitar scales would be the relative minor pentatonic scale, derived from the major pentatonic. The scale tones, or notes within the key numbered 1 through 8, would be 1, 3, 4, 5, and 7 of the natural minor scale. Using A minor as a example since it is the relative minor of C major, the notes would be A, C, D, E, and G. With that said, the following represent the 5 main pentatonic scale shapes for guitar, which can be transposed across all minor keys. 5 Pentatonic Guitar Scale Shapes Much like playing the piano, each finger has a purpose on the fretboard. As you read the tabs above, understand that each number corresponds with the fret and each line corresponds with the string your fingers should be placed upon (the bottom string being the low E string, and the representing the high E string). From there, your fingering should also correspond to the numbers, as each fret has a corresponding finger. When the tab calls for a skip of a fret, you also skip a finger. In Example 3, the first two notes call for an A on fret 5 and a B on fret 7. Use your first finger to fret the note on the fifth fret. For the second note, use finger 3 (ring finger). That means your fingers numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4 correspond to the frets 5 through 8 on the guitar. Maintain this alignment as finger 1 needs to be moved across the fretboard; for example, when finger 1 acts as a barre in example 4. When practicing these pentatonic scale shapes, be sure to practice using these fingerings to build muscle memory in your left-hand fingers! Now, it is important to note that routine practice and memorization of these five shapes will allow you to use scales effectively for your lead guitar solo lines and melodic improvisations. To understand more fully how beneficial these pentatonic scales can be for your guitar playing, now is the time to begin guitar lessons with your local TakeLessons teacher today! Happy practicing! Milton J. teaches guitar, piano, singing, music recording, music theory, opera voice, songwriting, speaking voice, and acting lessons in  Corona, CA. He specializes in classical, RB, soul, pop, rock, jazz, and opera styles.  Learn more about Milton here! Interested in Private Lessons? Search thousands of teachers for local and live, online lessons. Sign up for convenient, affordable private lessons today! Search for Your Teacher Photo by  Nicolás Giorgetti

How to become a great tutor...fast!

How to become a great tutor...fast! We've had an amazing 2015 here at Tutorfair thanks to our fantastic community of tutors and students!  We asked a few of our favourites to share their adventures with us.  Here, Charlie tells us how to become a great tutor. Charlie s   My name is Charlie, I’m 22 years old and my core subjects are Psychology, Statistics, and Primary education. I was introduced to Tutorfair in September 2015, and being a part of the community has already proven to be amazing! For someone who is studying a highly demanding course, it is a great way of earning an income whilst also knowing you’re contributing to a good cause. Since starting out on Tutorfair, I have been quite successful in attracting a respectable number of clients in a short space of time. Although it may be partly due to beginner’s luck, I think a big reason for the success is because I am willing to go the extra mile for my students. Accommodating for their individual needs is essential to getting established, which can be easily achieved by having some key principles of your own… Flexibility and availability â€" Quality and quantity are both important! The more lessons you advertise; the more potential bookings you can get. Additionally, the more spread out they are; the more needs of potential clients you will be meeting (so more bookings by different clients!) Honesty â€" Always be straight with your students and Tutorfair. If you know you’ll be late to a lesson, or may have to cancel, tell the client ASAP (adding an apology with a smiley face helps!). Advertisement â€" Don’t be afraid to ask past teachers or students for a reference! You rarely buy something before reading a couple of reviews, so fish for the compliments and stand out. It is important to play on your strengths. Everybody is different, and in my case I am often described as funny, enthusiastic and energetic, all of which I use in my teaching style. Lastly, if you enjoy what you’re teaching, your students will enjoy learning it (trust me, I tutor stats!)   Want to book Charlie for Psychology revision?  Or perhaps you want to sign up as a tutor? There's something for everyone at Tutorfair!

The ADHD and Math Connection

The ADHD and Math Connection Kids with ADHD often struggle with math. Difficulties with sustained attention, working memory (manipulating numbers in your head), organization and planning all interfere with math learning and performance. Starting from an early age, kids with ADHD struggle to memorize math facts and are prone to making errors on simple math problems (3-2=6). As they progress through school, they may struggle with word problems and more complex calculations by missing key details or having difficulty sequencing problem solving steps. As a result, its not uncommon for students with ADHD to be performing at least one year below grade level in math even when they dont have a specific learning disorder. This can be incredibly frustrating for parents and teachers, and the student themselves especially when they know that they are capable of doing better. The relatively recent introduction of Common Core math has added another layer of complexity for kids with ADHD. Unlike older models of math instruction, which focused on rote memorization of math facts and mastery of basic computational models, Common Core math emphasizes the teaching of problem solving strategies. Students are often required to solve a single math problem in multiple ways so they learn different strategies for obtaining the answer. They may also be required to explain their process and strategy in writing. While a solid argument can be made for the value of the Common Core problem solving approach over traditional memorization and computation, students with ADHD often find the process tedious, redundant, and lengthy three factors that severely tax their ability to stay on-task, focused, and motivated. Although math may not come easily to kids with ADHD, most can perform at grade level with modified instruction and additional support. Pushing kids with ADHD to reach their full potential in math is important! Studies show that students who complete higher levels of math in high school fair better in the job market and earn higher salaries. So, while it may be tempting to let your child slide in math and allow him or her to focus instead on subjects that come more easily, you will help your child in the long run if you provide the math support he or she needs now. Here are a few tips to help get your child on track and keep him or her going: Identify your childs math learning style. Is he or she a visual learner? Does he or she learn best by doing? Does he or she benefit from drawing or mapping out the process, or from having tangible items that can be manipulated? Do they need someone to verbally talk him or her through math logic and reasoning in a one-on-one or group setting? Then work with your childs teacher to put strategies into place that match your childs style. Have your child memorize basic math facts. Have your child overlearn these facts so he or she can recall them quickly and easily. This will help him or her work through math problems more quickly, more confidently, and with fewer errors. Its never too late to commit math facts to memory. So, if your child didnt master them in elementary school, help your child do it now. Kids with ADHD may find it easier to memorize math facts using an app, like Sushi Monster or Math Board. Help your child connect with math. Kids with ADHD find it easier to stay focused and motivated when they are interested in a subject. So, help make math interesting for your child! Math is essential to almost every aspect of our lives, including every sport, music, art, and technology-related interest that your child may have. Do search the web with your child to learn how math is important to the things he or she enjoys most. The University of Cambridge has some great online resources that really bring math to life. I especially love: Wild Maths, Plus Magazine, and the Math and Sport Millennium Mathematics Project. Get extra support. Some kids with ADHD simply need extra support at school or afterschool from a learning center or tutor. Request an assessment and extra support from your childs school if you think your child is not keeping up with his or her peers in math. If possible, find a learning center or tutor to provide extra support after school. Just make sure they have experience working with kids who have ADHD. With extra support, encouragement, and motivation kids with ADHD can succeed at math, and may even learn to love the subject along the way! ABOUT DR. MARY ROONEY Mary Rooney, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco. Dr Rooney is a researcher and clinician specializing in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and co-occurring behavioral, anxiety, and mood disorders. A strong advocate for those with attention and behavior problems, Dr. Rooney is committed to developing and providing comprehensive, cutting edge treatments tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent. Dr. Rooney's clinical interventions and research avenues emphasize working closely with parents and teachers to create supportive, structured home and school environments that enable children and adolescents to reach their full potential. In addition, Dr. Rooney serves as a consultant and ADHD expert to Huntington Learning Centers. ABOUT HUNTINGTON Huntington Learning Center is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams. Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students of all levels succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards. Founded in 1977, Huntington's mission is to give every student the best education possible. Call us today at 1.800.CAN LEARN to discuss how Huntington can help your child. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com. This website does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The material on this site is provided for educational purposes only.

Babysitting vs. Nannying Jobs What to Expect

Babysitting vs. Nannying Jobs What to Expect Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/ducks-toys-baby-bottle-diapers-1426008/ If you are looking to make some extra money and love children, you should definitely look into babysitting. When thinking about the expectations of babysitting, it really depends on family-to-family, but you can gauge the expectations of babysitting using the following criteria: (1) number of children, (2) age of child/children, and (3) time of day in which you will babysit. If you are babysitting an infant and/or a toddler, you need to expect to run around a lot and stick to a very strict schedule when it comes to eating and naps. If you are babysitting kids between the ages of 1 and 6, you will be on your toes a lot and you will have to watch these kids like hawks. You will have to play with the kids and, if there is an infant, you will have to hold the infant and help the infant if he/she is crying. If you are babysitting kids 7 and older, you will still have to be vigilant, but not to the same extent as you would with younger children. You will still have to feed them and watch over them, but you won’t really have to worry about them putting small objects in their mouths. Let’s now talk about time of day. If you’re babysitting the kids in the morning and early afternoon, you will either have kids who sleep in, in which case your life is made a lot easier, or you’ll have kids who wake up early and will be rambunctious. You will need to make sure the kids have breakfast, a snack, and lunch. If you are looking after an infant, you will probably need to put them down for a nap. If you are babysitting from later afternoon into the evening, you will follow a similar schedule, but the evening will definitely be more relaxed and you will need to make sure that you get the kids ready for bed. If the kids are younger, expect to read them a story or two and be sure to check on them a few times. If you are babysitting an infant, consider rocking him/her to sleep and follow the parents’ directions on how to best get the baby to go to sleep. When I babysit infants, I check on them very regularly (just in case). Okay, you learned a lot about babysitting, but let’s talk about nannying. Nannying is a full-time job (it’s a career). Parents hire nannies to stay with their kids the majority of the day, if not all day/night. Your responsibilities are similar to babysitting, but you will be expected to be more mindful of the cleanliness of the house/apartment as well as the kids. You may have to drive kids to and from camp or school and take them to after-school activities. Babysitters aren’t usually expected to drive the kids they look after around to various activities, but sometimes you may have to pick up the kids from school or camp. Nannies are usually with a family from the early beginnings of kids’ lives until very late in the lives. Sometimes, nannies are also trained housekeepers, which definitely helps with making some more money. The more you do for a family, the more you will get paid. Nannies are paid much more than babysitters because they have much more responsibility and are usually with a family for a very long period of time, while babysitting is usually temporary. Image via. https://pixabay.com/en/girls-children-kids-friends-young-462072/ Well, there you have it. The differences between babysitting and nannying as well as the expectations. However, the expectations and payment truly vary from family to family, so be sure to sit down and talk to the family you’re working for so that there are as few surprises as possible when you are with their child (or children). I loved babysitting and highly recommend babysitting and/or nannying if you love child care.

American International School of Mozambique

American International School of Mozambique American International School of Mozambique Your Future School AISM was founded in 1990 with the support of the United States Embassy and is a private, not-for-profit, co-educational day school serving students from Early Learning 3 to Grade 12. AISM is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors of which six are elected and one member appointed by the US Ambassador. AISM is accredited by the Middle States Association and is a member of the Association of International Schools in Africa. AISM was the first fully authorized IB Continuum school in Mozambique and is proud to be an IB World School offering the Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, and Diploma Programme. AISM Mission Statement AISM pursues excellence by empowering students to achieve mastery of self, advance their communities, and flourish in an ever-changing world. AISM Core Values CELEBRATE HUMANITY Welcoming learners as they are, embracing diversity, and nurturing relationships. CULTIVATE GRIT Fostering learners resilience, perseverance, and commitment to achieve. INSPIRE CURIOSITY Challenging learners to imagine, create, and innovate with passion, inspiration, and purpose. EMBODY INTEGRITY Living ethically through honesty, respect, and stewardship. AISM is a growing community that places great emphasis on meeting the needs of our diverse learners. The school holds a deep belief that it is our role as educators to offer a personalized learning environment that cultivates the talents and ignites the passions of every child. At AISM we want students to be thoughtful inquirers where they are empowered with student agency to gain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to be future-ready graduates. Your Future Country Mozambique is located on the east coast of Southern Africa, across the strait from Madagascar. It is widely known as the hidden gem of Africa offering endless beaches, abundant nature, warm climate, and kind-hearted people. AISM is located in the capital city of Maputo. The city is well equipped for a developing nation and expatriates are left longing for little. Maputo is located on the Indian Ocean and is in close proximity to South Africa and Swaziland. Mozambicans possess a sensational spirit with a warm and familial culture. While the country is one of the poorest in the world, the people are kind-hearted and welcoming to foreigners. Mozambican culture is vibrant with an abundance of art and music. Maputo has a rich and varied history that creates a fascinating tapestry of experience. As a former Portuguese colony, the host-country language is Portuguese. Your Future Students AISM is a diverse community serving approximately 600 learners from over 50 different countries. The Secondary School serves approximately 300 learners. While the school was founded to serve children of expatriates, AISM prides itself on being connected to the Mozambican community and approximately 22% of students are host-nationals. Your Future Colleagues The AISM teaching faculty consists of 77 committed educators, 41 of which work in the Secondary School. The faculty hail from 16 different countries bringing a diversity of perspectives to support high levels of learning for all students. The faculty is experienced, talented, and engaged. They seek an inspired lead learner who possesses extensive knowledge in curriculum and progressive pedagogy. Your Future Community AISM is an inspired Professional Learning Community! At its core, it is warm and welcoming, providing a home for a cornucopia of cultures. The school possesses a vibrant and contagious energy that emanates from our student body and is amplified by a spirit of possibilities. AISM vigorously pursues excellence, while embracing the notion that excellence without inspiration is a hollow pursuit. At AISM, we encourage individuality, ignite passion, and empower action. We aim to nurture curiosity, cultivate grit, and instill in students the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effect change. Our aim is high, and we rely on each other and the collective efficacy we develop through deep collaborative action. It is our belief in each other; students, faculty, and parents, that makes AISM an amazing place to be. American International School of Mozambique American International School of Mozambique An IB World School founded in 1990, American International School of Mozambique is a private, co-educational school for international students with all instruction delivered in the English language. AISM is proud to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes. The academic divisions (early learning, primary school, middle school and high school) are organized around a balance of the academic and social needs of their students. The school offers state-of-the-art learning facilities and well as a range of after-school activities. Current enrollment is almost 600 students, representing over 50 nationalities. AISM graduates have been accepted, many with scholarships, into some of the most renowned universities in the Americas, Europe and Africa. AISM is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is additionally recognized and supported by the US State Department of Overseas Schools.

Alumni series Mallorys path to becoming an international teacher

Alumni series Mallory’s path to becoming an international teacher Meet Mallory Williams. Mallory grew up in Austin, TX, the live music capital of the world. Naturally, she’s a live music enthusiast. She loves seeking out great bands playing nearby or rare vinyl about almost as much as searching for the latest flight deals to the next destination on her extensive bucket list. So what initially sparked Mallory’s passion for education? Shortly after graduating with her BA, she left the US to teach English in South Korea. She taught for elementary kids for a year, traveled through Southeast Asia and returned to the US to seek out an alternative certification program. She’s been teaching in an elementary school in Detroit ever since and indulging her deep love for travel during school breaks. From trekking around Angkor Wat to snowmobiling a glacier in Iceland, Mallory wants to learn as much as possible about the world through lived experiences. She’s always searching for that next great experience, even if it’s something as simple as finding a new restaurant, gallery, book or band. Her long-term goal? To combine her two passions - teaching and traveling - in order to see and change the world. And she’s already taken that first key step towards that goal. Back in December 2017, Mallory landed her dream teaching job at an international school in the Cayman Islands at the Teach Away job fair in Atlanta. So without further ado, let’s hear it from Mallory herself! Here in Detroit, there’s a phrase that you often hear as an educator. It’s repeated frequently as if a slogan or some sort of mantra. When days are tough, and many are, you tell yourself that one thing is true, “if you can teach here, you can teach anywhere.” We tell one another that if we can teach in the toughest of places, we’ll find teaching anywhere else a breeze. It’s now my fourth year teaching in Detroit, and I’ve been questioning if I am truly prepared to teach anywhere else. Don’t get me wrong, I love my school and I am so fortunate to work for a non-profit charter school that believes in promotingprofessional development and recognizing hard work. Learning to become a good educator in a high-needs school in an urban setting has afforded me a unique skill set. However, do these skills apply to a private school in the suburbs, let alone a top-ranked international school overseas? But I guess I’m jumping ahead a bit. Before my time teaching in Detroit, my only teaching experience was a year-long stint teaching English to elementary school kids in South Korea. What I loved most about living and teaching abroad was that almost every routine situation became a learning experience. For example, how exactly do I call in sick to work my first week when I’m violently throwing up, have no phone and can’t speak the language? (Yes, that really happened.) Despite the food poisoning debacle that was my first week on the job, it was exhilarating to feel like a well-respected professional for the first time. I soaked up every moment of my year abroad. I traveled around Southeast Asia, tried ALL of the food, learned to read and write Hangeul and made lifelong friends with many of the locals. Most importantly, I realized that I loved teaching and was passionate about making it a long-term career. From these two formative teaching experiences (South Korea and Detroit) I’ve learned two things: Nothing is better for my soul than travel Growing as a teacher is all about challenging yourself Once my ESL teaching contract in South Korea was up, I made the incredibly difficult decision to come back to America to train as a certified teacher. I knew that getting my teaching license and some teaching experience was the best path to landing a great job teaching in any country my heart desired. I landed back home in Austin, TX and looked for the perfect alternative teacher certification program that fit my needs. I also registered for Teach Away to keep an eye on to possible teaching jobs abroad and noticed an ad for The New Teacher Project (TNTP), an alternative certification program working with public school systems in a number of different cities - one of which especially caught my eye. My art school brother was always telling me how cool Detroit is. I thought to myself, why not go to Detroit, get your teacher training done, benefit from the low cost of living and make a difference in young kids’ lives? So I did! Fast forward to four years later. Sign up to Teach Away today for access to the latest teaching jobs around the world. I’ve had a long-term substitute gig teaching Yemeni refugees, spent two years as a fourth grade teacher and another year as a math interventionist in one of the lowest-scoring schools in the country. I have this poster in my classroom that reads, “if you rest, you rust”. It has a colorful picture of a resting bike rusting on a fence. It embodies my attitude towards my career, or maybe just life in general. I feel this constant itch to keep on moving. Learn more, experience more, breathe more life and make a bigger impact. I think the best way for me to settle these feelings is to keep moving. For a while, that meant changing job roles but now I know that to keep growing I need to look further afield. I began to search for a position which might fulfill both my adventurous spirit and my desire to become a better educator. As I researched teaching destinations, I applied to a number of positions through Teach Away and even interviewed for a couple. The more I looked, the narrower my search became. The perfect job in the perfect location wasn’t easy to find and I didn’t want to leave a school that I am extremely passionate about for something that I wasn’t totally sold on. In September 2017, an email landed in my inbox, letting me know about an upcoming Teach Away job fair in Atlanta. Seeing all the different locations and schools looking to hire teachers fueled my sense of excitement. I applied immediately, completed the screening process, booked a flight and hotel, requested a couple of personal days, and I was off! In preparation for the fair, I pored over the list of schools attending and made my own personal wishlist of dream schools. Despite myself, I also found myself becoming anxious about the competition. For a brief moment, I wanted to completely bail on the whole fair and I had to remind myself over and over again why I was going and how this was going to change my life for the better. It was time to move onward and upward, and the Teach Away job fair was going to get me where I wanted to be! Swirling around in my head throughout the fair were thoughts like: maybe I don’t have enough experience or the right experience. Maybe “speed-dating” style interviews just aren’t for me - they sounded pretty nerve-wracking. What if an employer scoffs at my resume? What if I say something stupid? Well, the truth is, someone kind of did scoff at my “lack” of experience and I most certainly said a few stupid things. But I came out of it with a newfound sense of confidence in amid the competitive world of international education. In the end, I received multiple offers and my decision came down to two incredible schools. However, there was one school that I knew, if they offered me a contract, I’d sign right away. So when that moment came, I was beyond thrilled and jumped to sign on the dotted line. Will my unique skill set have prepared me for a top-ranked international school after all? I guess we’ll find out!