Upon learning about this project, one individual immediately popped into my mind. My high school music teacher, Clifford Azavedo, was the person who, nearly single-handedly, inspired me to pursue music in post-secondary. He is a teacher and musician who I look up to greatly and someone who shaped my high school career. He attended Western for piano performance and pedagogy and then pursued education. He has been teaching for 17 years and is the perfect candidate for an interview of this caliber.

    The first question that was asked in this interview was the classic “Who are you?” question. It is very interesting to see how people react to this question. Some introduce themselves on a basic name, age etc. level where as Mr. Azavedo answered that he defines himself through his work. In this definition, he explained that his teaching persona intertwines with his personal persona and after teaching for so long they had become one. As most people are, Mr. Azavedo was quick to get the attention off of himself and onto his teaching and work within the classroom. The next question was “What is music in your life?”. When drafting this question, I had the notion in mind that a music teacher must love music themselves in order to teach the subject to others. Following suit, Mr. Azavedo has a love of music that defines everything he does. He says that music is in every part of his life and he wouldn’t have it any other way. He went on to describe that music is often the starting place for advocating for other important issues and how there are amazing opportunities that come from music.

     The next part of the conversation went on to teaching music when asked “What inspired you to become teacher? Did you have a mentor of your own?” Mr. Azavedo described that he had been teaching private music lessons since 1987 while completing his own RCM levels. He says that this inspired him to teach as he enjoyed helping musicians. He explained that he didn’t have a specific mentor but learned what not to do from ‘bad’ teachers who he experienced and what to take into his own classroom from teachers he had himself that he thought were mindful and inspiring teachers. He said that mentors in music through his own education helped him greatly when he starting teaching. The next question asked was “Has your experience as a student impacted the way you teach?”. Mr. Azavedo answered that he hadn’t had any real music education in high school or elementary as he pursued his studies seriously outside of school but in his private studies he said that these experiences pushed him to learn. He definitely believes that if he had taken music in the public school system that his experience would have been better. Now, in his school, he tries to make the music program a safe space for all who enter it, something he wishes he would have had. He spoke about how in university, all his experiences worked together to make things easier when he began teaching. He drew off those inspirations he had whilst pursuing a music degree to his music classes.

      Next, we talked about challenges or struggles faced as a music educator in this day and age. He answered that there is almost an overwhelming sense of apathy that is reducing numbers of enrollment in music classes. He says a struggle is to keep kids interested in music as they take it thinking it is an easy course to check a box in order to graduate and end up not putting in the work. He also talks about the difference between the public boards and catholic board (where he teaches) and how the curriculum is different and how sometimes the curriculum puts a strain on the learning. How it can be difficult to teach theory to a class that doesn’t care about music. He also touches on how the changing society most definitely impacts the setting of the classroom. He tries to apply things in pop culture onto the curriculum to make things interesting. This is an interesting challenge as you not only have to teach the curriculum but teach it in a way that suits your class, which can be a struggle.

      The final question that I asked Mr. Azavedo was “Do you have any advice for undergraduate students pursuing a music education degree?” He began by saying that teaching is tiring and hard. But also rewarding and incredible. He says he has learned to be more open minded and tolerant since becoming a teacher and he has a new view on people and life. His advice was that small positive deeds impact the community greatly, and that through trying to understand every kid that walks through your door you’re on the right track. He says that teaching is first about relationships and especially in music which is so personal, it is an extension of yourself. He says to keep trying even though it may seem like nothing is happening but even if you make a difference in one kid’s life, you’ve succeeded. He challenges you to get out of your comfort because that is the only way you are going to learn about yourself as a teacher and continue to be excited about learning.

This interview was so beneficial to me. I had always admired Mr. Azavedo as a teacher and as a musician while I was in high school, but didn’t have the appreciation I do now. Mr. Azavedo runs 6 sections of music classes (band, vocal and steel pan) by himself as the sole music teacher at my old high school of over 1200 students. That alone is a feat unto itself but it makes me appreciate the art of teaching even more than I did. I learned a great deal from this interview and my view of teaching has expanded greatly. It is one thing to hypothesize about teaching but it is another to hear first-hand about the struggles and benefits to the profession. The biggest thing I learned was that relationships with your students is an important part of music education. I think this is an interesting take on how to expand yourself as a teacher.

      I really enjoyed having this conversation with my old teacher and I look forward to applying some things I learned into my own classroom in the future. I really believe Mr. Azavedo is a mentor in my life and I am lucky to have had to opportunity to converse with him surrounding the important topic of music education.