Teaching

Empathy serves as the foundation for effective and inspiring teaching. My pedagogical approach is responsive and establishes a collaborative creative process, enabling the exploration of musical concepts, sounds, and techniques.

In the spirit of collaboration, I encourage my piano students to play an active role in selecting their repertoire and in analyzing and interpreting it. We choose pieces that challenge and strengthen weaker aspects of their playing while also showcasing their strengths. Piano students should be well-versed in the Western canon while critically assessing its development and working to expand it, especially by exploring composers from traditionally underrepresented groups.

One of my strengths as a piano instructor is my ability to offer tailored, detailed, and specific technical guidance to my students. Significant progress can be made by isolating challenging passages from their repertoire. I supplement these passages with efficient exercises derived from established methods. I also emphasize fundamental principles of healthy piano playing by providing all my students with a set of exercises that prioritize a focused finger technique supported by a free and coordinated hand, wrist, arm, and torso. These exercises also address common pitfalls in technique. This approach proves engaging, efficient, and effective in improving technique. The technique clinics I developed and taught at Northwestern University demonstrate my dedication to this aspect of pedagogy.

Cultivating a healthy technique represents only one facet of my comprehensive teaching approach, which is dedicated to supporting the overall well-being of my students. Musically, I've found that students who enhance their technical, reading, analytical, and critical-thinking skills while exploring a diverse repertoire enjoy greater independence, motivation, and accelerated progress. In acknowledgment of the evolving and challenging landscape of the music profession, students must acquire a broader set of skills than ever before, both at the piano and beyond. I actively encourage my students to foster musical versatility, entrepreneurial skills, networking capabilities, collaborative prowess, and technological ability, equipping them for success whether they pursue careers in music or other fields.

My goal is to provide the best possible education and experience to my students and to equip them with the skills to succeed in their future pursuits. I see this commitment as integral to fostering a sense of community and vibrancy within the studio. This, in turn, facilitates organic growth of the studio. My ultimate goal is to nurture a diverse, independent, reflective, and fulfilled community of student-artists, arming them with the skills, knowledge, and determination to continue pursuing their unique passions.

Anonymous Teaching Evaluations:

- “He rekindled my love of music and has already made so many positive changes to the music department. Our studio class felt more like a family with Dr Hicks”

- “I could not say enough positive things about Dr. Hicks as a piano instructor and mentor. I'm constantly impressed with Dr. Hicks's ability to notice areas to help me improve my musicality and technique, and also the large variety of teaching methods he utilizes to tailor what his students individually benefit from. When stuck on sections, he can suggest several ways of getting around the problem…I was pleasantly surprised at his encouragement of student's own ideas, maintaining a healthy balance between helpful suggestions and historical knowledge... He has created so many opportunities for piano performance”

- “Dr Hicks is a wonderful instructor who really knows how to take music to the next level”

From Tina (adult student):

"If you are fortunate to have the opportunity to study piano with Tom, you will find that he is not only a musician of exquisite sensibility, but also a natural and gifted teacher. His enthusiasm for teaching and his love of great music is contagious and inspiring. As a patient and articulate communicator of musical concepts, he will guide you to reach your goals and to play the music you love."

From Matthew (student):

“I always enjoy my lessons with Tom. We pay attention to the details of the piece and focus on playing it as expressively as possible. This approach helps me play to the best of my ability, and I couldn’t be happier with the progress I’ve made with Tom.”

From Zarina and Jeremy (parents):

"Simply put, Tom is the best thing to happen to our son’s music education. Tom has been teaching our 12-year old for the last two years. He was the fifth instructor our son trained under. Almost immediately after starting lessons with Tom, we noticed a difference in his appreciation for music and the emotion expressed in his playing. He thrived under Tom’s relaxed and approachable style. Like many young learners, our son didn’t always enjoy practicing, but there has been a marked change in attitude in the past few months. Asked about it, he stated that Tom has given him tools to practice more effectively. Tom’s teaching is benefitting him during and outside of his actual lessons.

Tom provides a good balance between choice and challenge. He has introduced our son to a wide range of composers, and with guidance has allowed him to choose pieces to learn. Tom’s incorporation of storytelling has helped him play not only technically but also emotionally.

As parents, we appreciate Tom’s open communication, professionalism, and flexibility [and] Tom’s own mastery of the piano serves as a huge inspiration to our son"

Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

C.V. - Higher Education

C.V. - Teaching

Testimonials