Teaching Philosophy: "My current teaching philosophy is to teach everyone how to read, play, and sing the music, but also to understand it and feel the music emotionally. I hope to help students learn the basics of music, such as what a quarter note is or how to read the key signature, but I also hope to help students realize that the composer wanted the musician to perform more than what is written on the paper. They wanted the musicians to know what they were singing/playing about and perform it with passion, not just because they were told to perform it.
Another thing I want to do is help special needs students incorporate music as a form of music therapy. My two brothers both had learning disabilities, and music really helped them focus and feel like they could be creative with no right or wrong answer. My master's thesis is titled, “From Dissonance to Harmony; How Music Education Can Prevent Bullying in Public Education.” As someone whose brothers both struggled with disabilities and flourished in music, I was able to see how the arts created a safe space for them to figure out their interests and talents."
Biography: Ilanna Tariff, mezzo-soprano, loves working with the Note-worthy Family! Ilanna Tariff has been teaching music in schools for 8 years and privately for 18 years. Presently, she is the Choral Director at Burncoat High School for the Arts. In addition to teaching full-time, Tariff is the Associate Conductor of the Minuet Ensemble with The National Children's Chorus in their Boston division. Tariff has been with the NCC since the Boston chapter opened in 2022.
Some of her favorite performances have been performing with The King’s Singers in Santa Clara, CA, singing at the Vatican, and performing in venues throughout Prague. She has taught in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California and Texas. Additionally, one summer Tariff toured the country teaching with Missoula Children’s Theater. Ilanna earned a Master of Arts degree in Choral Music Education at New York University and was also the recipient of the Steinhardt Award for Distinguished Achievement and Leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree at Texas State University with a minor in theater. Her favorite style of music to sing is Musical Theater. Aside from music and theater, Ilanna loves Disney, traveling, coffee, and her standard poodle, Minnie.
Ilanna began teaching in 2007 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in December 2023, where she teaches piano, voice, and beginner ukulele.
Learn more about our music teacher, Ilanna Tariff, in her Teacher Feature.
Another thing I want to do is help special needs students incorporate music as a form of music therapy. My two brothers both had learning disabilities, and music really helped them focus and feel like they could be creative with no right or wrong answer. My master's thesis is titled, “From Dissonance to Harmony; How Music Education Can Prevent Bullying in Public Education.” As someone whose brothers both struggled with disabilities and flourished in music, I was able to see how the arts created a safe space for them to figure out their interests and talents."
Biography: Ilanna Tariff, mezzo-soprano, loves working with the Note-worthy Family! Ilanna Tariff has been teaching music in schools for 8 years and privately for 18 years. Presently, she is the Choral Director at Burncoat High School for the Arts. In addition to teaching full-time, Tariff is the Associate Conductor of the Minuet Ensemble with The National Children's Chorus in their Boston division. Tariff has been with the NCC since the Boston chapter opened in 2022.
Some of her favorite performances have been performing with The King’s Singers in Santa Clara, CA, singing at the Vatican, and performing in venues throughout Prague. She has taught in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, California and Texas. Additionally, one summer Tariff toured the country teaching with Missoula Children’s Theater. Ilanna earned a Master of Arts degree in Choral Music Education at New York University and was also the recipient of the Steinhardt Award for Distinguished Achievement and Leadership. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree at Texas State University with a minor in theater. Her favorite style of music to sing is Musical Theater. Aside from music and theater, Ilanna loves Disney, traveling, coffee, and her standard poodle, Minnie.
Ilanna began teaching in 2007 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in December 2023, where she teaches piano, voice, and beginner ukulele.
Learn more about our music teacher, Ilanna Tariff, in her Teacher Feature.
