My Music Teaching Philosophy

As a public school teacher for eight years, I've learned so much from kids, colleagues and myself. Teaching gave me a feeling of groundedness needed to pursue my other passions. It increased my sense of empathy and taught me to continually reflect on my work, no matter what it is.

Now that I own a music lessons business, I am constantly thinking about how to best accommodate my students' learning styles and needs. I draw on curriculum and teaching philosophies that help students have fun and make choices about their learning along the way.

Adding Value to Lessons:

Training and Experience
in Social-Emotional Development

An owner of a music lessons studio once said,
"the most important quality of a music teacher is their emotional intelligence."

This is because positive, supportive relationships enable learning and give people a memorable experience, regardless of whether they stick with playing music. Also, it's important to empathize with people learning a new instrument.

Social-Emotional Training and Experience

Wilderness Therapy outdoor guide for at-risk youth with Rites of Passage.
Teacher trainings in Trauma-Informed teaching, working with ADHD students, and Culturally Responsive Teaching
Eight years in public schools working with diverse students in the Seattle area
Current voluneer music teacher and mentor at Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Center

If you are interested in piano or guitar lessons, sign up or send me an email. I teach in-person in Bellingham (in South Hill) and online. I work with both kids and adults.

I look forward to seeing how music can enrich your life!

-Bo Bestvina

Check out my teaching philosophy in the video below

My Resume

Business Owner/Music Teacher
Flow Music Lessons

06/15/23-Current

Guitar and Piano Instructor

Guitar Center Bellingham
June, 2023-Current

Music Teacher
Whatcom County Juvenille Detention Center
July, 2023-Current

I bring the gift of music to young people in the local Juvenile Detention Center, because music has the power to connect us like nothing else.

This was on a volunteer basis but it is now being supported a youth philanthropy grant from the Whatcom Community Foundation

Music Teacher

Sumas Elementary School
August, 2022-August 2023

See my teaching credential here.
Taught West African drumming and choral arrangements

Conducted school concerts

Compassionately listended to students struggling with situations at home and school

Wrote a school song that the district is now performing at other schools

Social Studies Teacher

Issaquah School District

August, 2021-June 2023
Sought a variety of ways to build relationships with students during quarantine
Offered compassionate listening and suggestions to students with test anxiety

Taught a social emotional section of the course

Youth Mentor

Rites of Passage Wilderness Therapy

June, 2018-September, 2018

Guided 13-18 year olds on backpacking trips. Taught life skills, emotional regulation and communication skills.

Music Healer, Arts Care

June, 2015-June 2017
Played original healing music to patients undergoing cancer treatment

Writer
Self-Employed

2015-Current

Finishing a novel called "Culture Clock" about a man who's call is to build antique looking dollhouses to restore connection and imagination in an isolated world. Expected publication by Summer, 2024

Pine Story-This one is about a little pine who wants to know the time. He is impatient and wants to hurry up and grow up. He is the only pine in the forest who can talk and walk, until one day he meets an old wise pine who reminds him of the importance of enjoying childhood.

EDUCATION

Northwest Educational Development

Washington Teaching Credential, K-8 and Music Endorsements

Private Guitar and Voice Lessons
Various Instructors
2015-Present

Central Washington University

January, 2005 – June 2010

BA, Cultural Anthropology

Oregon State University
Sept, 2010-June, 2012
MA, Cultural Anthropology

Helping others discover the inner joy of music

Gifts of Music NW

My Music Teaching Philosophy

As a public school teacher for eight years, I've learned so much from kids, colleagues and myself. Teaching gave me a feeling of groundedness needed to pursue my other passions. It increased my sense of empathy and taught me to continually reflect on my work, no matter what it is.

Now that I own a music lessons business, I am constantly thinking about how to best accommodate my students' learning styles and needs. I draw on curriculum and teaching philosophies that help students have fun and make choices about their learning along the way.

Adding Value to Lessons:

Training and Experience
in Social-Emotional Development

An owner of a music lessons studio once said,
"the most important quality of a music teacher is their emotional intelligence."

This is because positive, supportive relationships enable learning and give people a memorable experience, regardless of whether they stick with playing music. Also, it's important to empathize with people learning a new instrument.

Social-Emotional Training and Experience

Wilderness Therapy outdoor guide for at-risk youth with Rites of Passage.

Teacher trainings in Trauma-Informed teaching, working with ADHD students, and Culturally Responsive Teaching

Eight years in public schools working with diverse students in the Seattle area

Current voluneer music teacher and mentor at Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Center

My Resume

Email

Call Me

Helping others discover the inner joy of music

My Music Teaching Philosophy

​

​As a public school teacher for eight years, I've learned so much from kids, colleagues and myself. Teaching gave me a feeling of groundedness needed to pursue my other passions. It increased my sense of empathy and taught me to continually reflect on my work, no matter what it is.

Now that I own a music lessons business, I am constantly thinking about how to best accommodate my students' learning styles and needs. I draw on curriculum and teaching philosophies that help students have fun and make choices about their learning along the way.

​

Adding Value to Lessons:

Training and Experience in Social-Emotional Development

​

An owner of a music lessons studio once said, "the most important quality of a music teacher is their emotional intelligence."

This is because positive, supportive relationships enable learning and give people a memorable experience, regardless of whether they stick with playing music. Also, it's important to empathize with people learning a new instrument.

​

Social-Emotional Training and Experience

​

Wilderness Therapy outdoor guide for at-risk youth with Rites of Passage.

Teacher trainings in Trauma-Informed teaching, working with ADHD students, and Culturally Responsive Teaching

Eight years in public schools working with diverse students in the Seattle area

Current voluneer music teacher and mentor at Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Center

​

​

​

My Resume

As a public school teacher for eight years, I've learned so much from kids, colleagues and myself. Teaching gave me a feeling of groundedness needed to pursue my other passions. It increased my sense of empathy and taught me to continually reflect on my work, no matter what it is.

Training and Experience
in Social-Emotional Development

An owner of a music lessons studio once said,
"the most important quality of a music teacher is their emotional intelligence."