I have taught many students that faced challenges concerning focusing and maintaining discipline in the study and practice of music. I’ve devised methods over the past 25 years to help them and myself. Having ADD is challenging enough. Trying to teach a student with ADD can be even more challenging. Please contact me with any questions you might have. Helping any student achieve their goals is rewarding, though helping those with learning challenges is more so.
My history with ADD
I was diagnosed with ADD when I was 25 years old. That diagnosis explained so much and that’s when my life changed considerably. I had been a below-average student, academically, though I did well when it came to practicing and performing clarinet and saxophone. I dropped out of college after 4 frustrating years because of my struggles to pass college algebra or any class that involved concentrated study. Music theory seemed to stump me as well. I was also awkward and uncomfortable around non-musicians and had no social life outside of the music world.
I began taking Ritalin daily and went to therapy weekly to learn and understand how my brain worked. I returned to college a few years later and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree with academic honors. I also received a Master of Arts with distinction in Jazz Composition.
I’ve been taking Ritalin twice a day for 25 years, have learned how my brain is wired, and strive to get the most out of life every minute of every day. I owe my success and happiness to chemistry and those therapists and authors who have taught and guided me. I got a tattoo a few years of the chemical structure of methylphenidate as a visual reminder of my gratitude. It’s located on the inside of my left wrist and I see it every time I play my instruments.