I believe the goal of teaching at the collegiate level is to prepare students to thoughtfully contribute to society by developing expertise in their chosen field. With music, we are teaching intangible concepts that have a very tangible impact on our world. At every junction of our lives, music comforts us, guides us, and inspires us. It is my duty as a teacher of music to ensure that students bring the skills derived from their music degree to any field in which they aspire to work.

My goal in applied instruction is to help each student find their own musical voice while ensuring that they have a technical command of their instrument that allows their voice to be heard.

Community is key in combatting the stress and rigor of pursuing a career in music. Fostering a culture of positivity and peer encouragement in my studio is of utmost importance.

Ultimately, I aspire to create a community of thoughtful, curious, and driven individuals. Through shared musical experience and rigorous but rewarding study, I hope to create a more well-rounded future generation of musicians, educators, and otherwise. Find out more about auditioning at UCF here or contact Dr. Vasko at benjamin.vasko@ucf.edu.