Beyond the classroom: My Side Projects
Throughout the years I've been a little busy doing things for my students, below you will find some hobbies that I enjoy doing for my students in my spare time.
Prop Building for Marching Band and Indoor Winds
Below are some of props I have built myself for either Marching band or Indoor winds. I really enjoy providing my students with visual for their shows. This hands-on work allows me to support their education in a truly unique way, fostering creativity and teamwork.
These are panels I put on front ensemble in order to make it look like broken glass for their marching band show 'Shattered'
These are panels I made for the Vibraphones for their Tron Like show 'The Grid'
These are back drop fabric that I painted for the students are using to add color for their show 'The Grid'
These are panels I made for the Marimbas for their Indoor show 'The Grid'
Composing For my Students
Over the past couple years, I have focused my composition skills for my students, I've been able to make arrangements for pieces for percussion class for Tempe High School. I also have writing music for their marching band show and their indoor show. I really enjoy being able to make music and have my students be able to work on music that I give them!
Private Lessons!
Beyond group settings, I offer private percussion and piano lessons, providing focused, one-on-one instruction. This allows for me to understand what my students need to focus on and be able to have them work towards Student specific needs and goals. I use and write my own material for my students to learn. By doing these lessons I also can get to understand why the student is having issues and I can apply this to the whole ensemble for the groups that they are in. I mostly work with the schools that I teach at, and it really has been able to make the students elevate their playing. These lessons are a testament to how far I will go to ensure a comprehensive and enriching musical education, helping students truly master their instruments.
"I want people to know that I will always put my students' education first, and I will try to make it the best experience possible for them."
— Joshua Cruz, Music Educator