NJCU graduate Michael Gennari is UACHS’ new music teacher. He hopes to bring his enthusiasm and love of music to his choir, music appreciation, and instrumental courses.
For Gennari, teaching is more than just scales and scores; it is about constructing connections between students, cultures, and most importantly emotions. He encourages his students to not only express themselves but to also connect deeply with the music they encounter.
“I really believe that music is capable of accomplishing things that a lot of other art forms may not be able to,” said Gennari.
Music offers a direct path to emotional release, making the seemingly impossible possible. Due to this ideology, Gennari motivates students to feel music at a much deeper level than simply sound going through your ears.
Gennari refuses to force his musical preferences onto students. Instead he embraces being eclectic, studying all genres and seeking understanding through diversity.
“I try to see myself as a musician and a musicologist,” said Gennaro. “As someone that studies all different types of music for better understanding.”
This mentality, deeply rooted in his instrumental journey that began in elementary school, progressed and led him to learn the saxophone, bassoon, flute, recorder, oboe and English horn.
That desire to help others learn is very heavily reflected in his teaching style that also prioritizes togetherness, closeness, and empathy. His inspiration for this is from both new music and other art forms, taking diversity from things such as visual art and performance to fuel creativity.
In Gennari’s classroom, small daily accomplishments are valued just as much as major accomplishments, while also emphasizing the importance of learning and self expression.
“I think music can certainly help provide a sense of togetherness and camaraderie; I hope the most students get out of my class is they do not have to love every piece of music 100%,” said Gennari. “We can become more understanding of each other’s differences because that’s really what it’s all about. You know, we study music from all different cultures.”
Gennari hopes to bring more than just a musical lesson to our school and community. Through his teachings his goal is to foster empathy, curiosity and a sense of belonging, to prove the idea that music is a pathway to understanding and growth.
