This was the first step I took in developing my skills in working with children. I began learning the guitar at aged 14 and was already at that point, older than most of the other students attending the school. As the school began to grow in size, there were enough pupils for the tutors to start putting on student showcases. This involved each student learning one or two songs and then performing them on stage in front of family and friends.
My role in all of this, after being with the school for a few years and having developed my confidence in performing, was to mentor the younger pupils who were new to performing. I would work closely with them for about a month in the run up to the night of the performance. I would be involved in the teaching of their songs and also played along with them so they didn't feel as pressured and nervous. I would also help them to develop their confidence on stage, and teach them how to present themselves and, for lack of a better term, "Rock Out!"
On the night of the performances I was key in backstage management. I made sure that all the students were ready for their performance (equipment wise). I reassured all the students if they were feeling nervous. I also managed their behaviour and made sure they were in a safe environment as they were very young children in a very exciting, stimulating and unknown setting.
As well as these backstage duties, I also played on stage with the pupils that I had been a mentor to. The highlight of my time at the school was when I was a mentor to 20 different pupils of all ages and backgrounds. I got to play with them on stage, supporting their guitar playing. Seeing how happy the students were when they were on stage and knowing that I contributed a significant amount to their development, cemented in my mind that I wanted to become a teacher.
My role in all of this, after being with the school for a few years and having developed my confidence in performing, was to mentor the younger pupils who were new to performing. I would work closely with them for about a month in the run up to the night of the performance. I would be involved in the teaching of their songs and also played along with them so they didn't feel as pressured and nervous. I would also help them to develop their confidence on stage, and teach them how to present themselves and, for lack of a better term, "Rock Out!"
On the night of the performances I was key in backstage management. I made sure that all the students were ready for their performance (equipment wise). I reassured all the students if they were feeling nervous. I also managed their behaviour and made sure they were in a safe environment as they were very young children in a very exciting, stimulating and unknown setting.
As well as these backstage duties, I also played on stage with the pupils that I had been a mentor to. The highlight of my time at the school was when I was a mentor to 20 different pupils of all ages and backgrounds. I got to play with them on stage, supporting their guitar playing. Seeing how happy the students were when they were on stage and knowing that I contributed a significant amount to their development, cemented in my mind that I wanted to become a teacher.