Shawn Seguin

My teaching philosophy centers around creating an inclusive atmosphere where all students can learn to think creatively, develop tools for self-evaluation, and broaden their musical perspectives. By improving their technical abilities and musical expression, I hope to foster ingenuity and encourage mindful independence alongside students in their musical pursuits.

Throughout my education, I have been fortunate to study with teachers who promoted an engaging and supportive community spirit within their studios, which is how I have chosen to model my studio. Having taught students from various backgrounds, I center lessons and classroom activities around stimulating discussions and allowing students to understand differing perspectives. As their teacher, I strive to guide students in appreciating music, understanding unique viewpoints, and exploring diverse career paths. Every student's perspective is valuable and should be respected, and I encourage them to share their distinct experiences. 

Given the rapidly changing artistic landscape, I ensure that my students have regular access to skill-building opportunities and advice on their desired career paths. As part of their lessons, students submit the goals they would like to work on each semester. By functioning as a guiding presence, I suggest them to consider forward-thinking, diverse literature and genres from both the traditional and non-traditional canon. From there, I focus on developing the students' self-assessment abilities and creative problem-solving so they can become innovative thinkers and continue to prosper in their careers. This goal-oriented approach fosters a collaborative learning environment where students can take ownership of their development and strive for excellence with equitable and conscientious mentorship.

In addition to bassoon lessons and classroom teaching, I am a strong advocate for chamber music, as I believe it plays a vital role in developing essential skills such as confidence, leadership, and collaboration. These skills are crucial for any career path, and by prioritizing developing these skills, I aim to make students feel confident and prepared for their future careers. As someone who actively arranges and transcribes music, I often explore genres beyond the traditional canon and include atypical instrument combinations that students are not routinely exposed to. My goal in doing this is so that students can gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of music from various backgrounds, origins, and identities. With access to a diverse pool of musical literature, I aim to perpetuate excitement about the arts within a community atmosphere that will continue to filter out into the community through the lives of the students.