Madison Drake
“I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.”
About Madison
I began playing music at the age of eight. I was eager to participate in the artform of music that resonated so deeply in me, so I picked up my dad’s guitar and played to the best of my abilities. I spent several years playing guitar, then started playing the flute throughout middle school and high school which gave me the opportunity to learn theory. My passion for music never left, and I continued pursuing music throughout college.
Madison’s Instructional Approach
My approach to teaching is to blend traditional music structure and theory while also accommodating each student’s unique learning style and preferences. I believe learning an instrument should not feel daunting, but rewarding and fun. I make sure that every student of mine is gaining knowledge of fundamentals in a way that excites them and contributes to their overall goals in music, while also learning songs that they enjoy.
Practice Tips
One practice exercise I love are listening assignments. Intentional listening helps us to find rhythm in songs, as well as training the ear. Selecting an enjoyable song and practicing rhythm and pitch on our instruments helps us understand our connection to the music and our instruments, and is a relaxing way to build confidence in playing.
Favorite Tunes
- Rock – Fall Out Boy
- Pop – Charli XCX
- Country – Johnny Cash
- Jazz – Billie Holiday
- Rap – Tierra Whack
