Note-worthy Experiences Music Studio
F E A T U R E
Interview with Jessica Petrus-Aird
F E A T U R E
Interview with Jessica Petrus-Aird
How old were you when you first got interested in singing and when did you start voice lessons?
My first music lesson was when I was 3 years old. It was Suzuki piano method lesson and I learned “Mississippi Hotdog” which I can still play with my second finger :) From there, I started reading music in first grade with a new piano teacher, and added oboe in 5th grade. I did not actually start studying voice until I was 20, just before I entered the music school at the University of Michigan.
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
Practice? Ha! I was not what one might call an “easy” student. My poor parents struggled to get me to practice regularly at home. I believe this was because of a few reasons: i did not always enjoy the repertoire, and I did not get to spend time creating my own music as part of my lessons. As a teacher, I try to keep my childhood practice habits in mind. I try to find ways to help students stay on task, but with the objective that it feels fun and a creative process to them. This may include learning to sing and play the song together, write silly new lyrics, transpose the song, or work with flash cards. My goal is to help students and families find the fun in music as it is super fun!
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
I love watching a child-like wonder come alive with young musicians. They ask great questions, write their own cool melodies, and make connections between songs I hadn’t ever considered. I find when they get excited about a song, composer, music style, etc. the lesson just flies by, and it is almost as if the student is teaching themselves more than I am! I see my role as more a facilitator and a guide for students to help discover music themselves, and help step in when more active instruction is needed.
When you’re not performing or teaching what other hobbies or interests do you have?
Just like I love to create music, I love to create food. The two disciplines overlap in many ways. I often don’t cook with a recipe; just some ingredients I have on hand. I often start not knowing what I’ll end up making. Most of the time, it tastes pretty good!
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
Every teacher was/is inspiring in some way to me. The ones who recognized my slightly rebellious streak as a kid and gave me some freedom to pursue my own ideas while staying somewhat on task with their lesson plans were the ones I gravitated most towards. I always appreciated the room to make my own connections, mistakes, and creations.
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Sometimes less is more! If a student is getting to the point where they are frustrated and can’t figure something out, sometimes it is best to let go for a bit. This is especially true in singing, where muscles just need some time to coordinate and solve the technical issue. Working smarter, not harder, sometimes means walking away from something and revisiting it later with a more open mind and a fresh pair of eyes.
Why do you enjoy teaching both piano and voice?
I truly enjoy teaching both voice and piano. To me, they constantly inform one another. I also love teaching students how to sing their piano pieces and play their vocal pieces. It helps absorb the literacy part of the music and gives them more tools to dig deeper into musical decisions.
Learn more about our Voice, Piano and Songa teacher Jessica Petrus-Aird in her Teacher Page.
My first music lesson was when I was 3 years old. It was Suzuki piano method lesson and I learned “Mississippi Hotdog” which I can still play with my second finger :) From there, I started reading music in first grade with a new piano teacher, and added oboe in 5th grade. I did not actually start studying voice until I was 20, just before I entered the music school at the University of Michigan.
How often did you practice when you were a kid and how have your practices changed since you became a professional?
Practice? Ha! I was not what one might call an “easy” student. My poor parents struggled to get me to practice regularly at home. I believe this was because of a few reasons: i did not always enjoy the repertoire, and I did not get to spend time creating my own music as part of my lessons. As a teacher, I try to keep my childhood practice habits in mind. I try to find ways to help students stay on task, but with the objective that it feels fun and a creative process to them. This may include learning to sing and play the song together, write silly new lyrics, transpose the song, or work with flash cards. My goal is to help students and families find the fun in music as it is super fun!
What do you like most about teaching young musicians?
I love watching a child-like wonder come alive with young musicians. They ask great questions, write their own cool melodies, and make connections between songs I hadn’t ever considered. I find when they get excited about a song, composer, music style, etc. the lesson just flies by, and it is almost as if the student is teaching themselves more than I am! I see my role as more a facilitator and a guide for students to help discover music themselves, and help step in when more active instruction is needed.
When you’re not performing or teaching what other hobbies or interests do you have?
Just like I love to create music, I love to create food. The two disciplines overlap in many ways. I often don’t cook with a recipe; just some ingredients I have on hand. I often start not knowing what I’ll end up making. Most of the time, it tastes pretty good!
Who were some of your most inspiring teachers?
Every teacher was/is inspiring in some way to me. The ones who recognized my slightly rebellious streak as a kid and gave me some freedom to pursue my own ideas while staying somewhat on task with their lesson plans were the ones I gravitated most towards. I always appreciated the room to make my own connections, mistakes, and creations.
What is your best advice to students who want to learn a new instrument or improve their playing?
Sometimes less is more! If a student is getting to the point where they are frustrated and can’t figure something out, sometimes it is best to let go for a bit. This is especially true in singing, where muscles just need some time to coordinate and solve the technical issue. Working smarter, not harder, sometimes means walking away from something and revisiting it later with a more open mind and a fresh pair of eyes.
Why do you enjoy teaching both piano and voice?
I truly enjoy teaching both voice and piano. To me, they constantly inform one another. I also love teaching students how to sing their piano pieces and play their vocal pieces. It helps absorb the literacy part of the music and gives them more tools to dig deeper into musical decisions.
Learn more about our Voice, Piano and Songa teacher Jessica Petrus-Aird in her Teacher Page.
