MEET THE EDUCATION OF THE FUTURE
Meet Dr.Tem's Research-Based Innovative Teaching Methologies.
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Benefits of a Quality Music Education
An Article by Dr.TemLESSONS FOR ADULTS & PROFESSIONALS
Private Lessons by Dr.Tem for the Beginners or Professionals
Piano, Theory, Composition,Dr. Tolga Tem
Dr. Tem is a music composer and educator with a doctorate in music composition. He’s skilled in composing for orchestras, multimedia, computer games, and films. His teaching areas include piano, music composition, film scoring, music theory, and ear training. He’s also proficient in e-learning, music technology, computer music, sound design, game audio, and game technologies. Since 2015, he has been a music professor at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, and became an assistant professor of music in 2023.
Dr. Tem has served as the Director of the Music & Sound Production Department at SEBIT LLC, an education and IT company at Skysong, Arizona State University in Scottsdale, AZ, between 1996 and 2015. The company specializes in e-learning, multimedia, game development, and educational research. His teaching methods, informed by his research and use of educational technology, engage a wide range of students from young learners to adults.
Additionally, Dr. Tem owns and manages the Dr. Tem Music & Arts Academy, where he teaches private and group piano classes to children and adults, mentors professional musicians and songwriters, and oversees all students’ musical development. He frequently organizes workshops and recitals to foster student engagement and offers specialized classes for music teachers and aspiring educators. His classes are accessible both in-person and online, catering to a national and international audience.
To get more info about Dr.Tem’s C.V. you may visit: More About Dr.Tem
Andre Madatian
Andre Madatian is a guitarist, composer, and Professor of Music at Tennessee State University and Middle Tennessee State University. Andre holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and a Master of Music degree in Composition from Middle Tennessee State University. As a guitarist, Andre has studied with Tomo Fujita, whose former students include John Mayer and Eric Krasno of Soulive and Lettuce. Other teachers include Sal Difusco of the Sal Difusco Project, John Baboian of the Bebop Guitars, and David Fiuczynski of the Screaming Headless Torsos and guitarist for jazz pianist Hiromi Uehara. Andre is also an active guitarist in Nashville where he continues to tour often. He has toured with numerous Nashville-based artists and to date has performed thousands of concerts in countries all over the globe. Notable performances include headlining the Albisgüetli Country Music Festival in Zurich, Switzerland, performing at the 25th Annual Trucker’s Festival in Interlaken, Switzerland along with The Bellamy Brothers, Kris Kristofferson, and Carlene Carter, performing at the Country Music Cruise in Ancona, Italy, and performing at the Havelock Country Music Jamboree in Ontario, Canada opening for Toby Keith. Andre has recently toured as the lead guitarist for country stars such as Keith Anderson, Jared Blake, and John Schneider; the American actor, singer, and filmmaker widely known for his role as “Bo Duke” in the original “Dukes Of Hazzard” television show. Notable performances include the Franklin Theater, Dosey Doe in Spring, Texas, the Cailloux Theater, and “Bo’s Extravaganza” featuring Kid Rock at John Schneider Studios in Holden, Louisiana performing with John Schneider, Keith Burns of “Trick Pony” and Grammy award-winning Cajon accordionist, Jo-El Sonnier. Andre has also toured with 3-time Grammy-nominated Americana/Bluegrass singer and former member of Daily & Vincent, Christian Davis. Notable performances include the Manship Theater in Baton Rouge and the Strand Theatre in Jennings, Louisiana as support with John Schneider.
Andre is currently on tour with Kentucky native and country music star, JD Shelburne. In 2021 alone, he has opened for ZZ Top, entered the iTunes Country Top Ten, and has released his best album to date, Straight From Kentucky, a project People magazine called “an all-encompassing look into the heart and soul of the kid that grew up on a tobacco farm loving country music.”An active member since 2019, notable performances include the Hometown Rising festival opening for Tim McGraw, Freedom Hall Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, WSM 650 “Home of The Grand Ole Opry”, and the “Cotton Eyed Joe” in Knoxville, Tennessee opening for Sammy Kershaw.
Andre is an endorsed artist with PRS guitars, Ernie Ball, Kepma Acoustics, Creation Music Company, DiMarzio, 64 Audio, DiamondLife Gear, Free The Tone, Voodoo Lab, Shubb Capos, Runway Audio, Belt & Brace Guitar Straps, Rock Solid Guitar Stands, and ChickenPicks. He also received the Outstanding Graduate Student in Music Award in Spring 2022 at Middle Tennessee State University, Berklee Achievement Scholarship in 2013, and is a two-time recipient of the Richard and Rose Dermenjian Scholarship in 2011 and 2012 for his musical and compositional achievements.
Gretta Maguire
Gretta Maguire is a music instructor and erhu performer with a Master of Music in Musicology from Middle Tennessee State University, where she studied under Dr. Mei Han. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from North Greenville University under Fabio Parrini, where she also served as principal cellist for the North Greenville University Orchestra. She currently teaches at Tennessee State University and leads the erhu section for the Middle Tennessee State University Chinese Ensemble, serving as concertmaster. Her academic awards include the Rey M. Longyear Award in Musicology and two Critical Language Scholarships, which she completed in Taiwan. In her spare time, she continues her twelve-year study of Mandarin, plays piano and cello, and enjoys visiting her hometown of Clemson, SC.
Jenni Maisel
Jenni is a talented and experienced classical musician, excelling in piano and bassoon performance. She has a passion for passing on her love of classical music to the next generation of students, using innovative technology to make learning easier and more engaging. With a decade of performance experience and 2 years of successful teaching, Jenni’s abilities as an educator are undeniable, especially when it comes to inspiring young minds. Jennii’s exceptional academic achievements in music performance and computer science, coupled with her status as valedictorian under Dr. Tem and other faculty at Tennessee State University, make her a highly qualified choice for guiding the kids towards their future success.
Bingjian Chen
Bingjian Chen began playing the piano at the age of six and was performing by the age of ten. She entered the Middle School affiliated with the Shanghai Conservatory of Music at the age of 12 and completed her high school diploma there. She was admitted to the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles, where she is pursuing her degree under the mentorship of Fabio Bidini, a renowned pianist and pedagogue with numerous top prizes to his name.
Bingjian has performed both as a soloist and a chamber musician in venues such as Herbst Theatre in San Francisco, Shanghai Heluting Concert Hall, Xiamen Concert Hall, Rocca Sforzesca, and CCTV (China Central Television). She has taken lessons and masterclasses with Alan Chow, Meng-Chieh Liu, Yoshikazu Nagai, Jin Ju, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and Anna Sheludko at the Saint-Petersburg Conservatory of Music.
Furthermore, Bingjian has been awarded scholarships every semester, including the “Niu En De Scholarship,” the school-awarded scholarship, the scholarship from the City of Shanghai, and the scholarship awarded by the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission. In 2021, she was invited to give a tour recital in Shandong Province, Shanghai, and Shangqiu. In 2023, she achieved first place in The Artcial Piano Competition, followed by her victory in the Royal Piano Competition.
Bingjian currently instructs several advanced students worldwide who are preparing for auditions and professional piano competitions through her online lessons.
Maya Tem
Maya Tem was twelve years old when she was first introduced to the art of paper marbling and has been studying this art with three well-known artists for the last six years. Her art reflects both traditional and modern styles. One of her goals is to introduce the art of paper marbling to as many people as possible and she is doing presentations and teaching this antique art form to lovers of beauty.
Her teaching experience includes lessons on acting in front of a camera, photography, advertising, and cinema. In addition, she has continued to work for women’s and children’s rights, and for animals’ rights and rescue. She has made ads to promote social awareness.
She holds two degrees in Library Science, and Communications (Radio, Cinema & TV). She has produced many TV programs covering culture, art, education, and politics. She worked as an audio and visual consultant for projects for UNICEF. She has created several educational programs and documentary films.
Besides marbling, she has also been working on preparing new projects for TV, photography, and graphic design.
He has a creative approach to teaching children via the use of technology and imagination which makes the lesson fun and entertaining.
We enrolled in the buddy program where our son takes a joint lesson with another matched student. It’s been amazing to see them play off of each other, push each other to do better and learn from each other.
Both of my sons are excited about the piano lessons with Dr.Tem. They don’t need additional guidance for their practice routine since the program has rewards and scores and they like to practice by themselves.
Dr.Tem is super into trying new apps to get kids engaged and learning. I had great teachers growing up, but I wonder how many Grammys I would have won if Dr. Tem was my piano teacher!
Dr. Tem is an amazing teacher! Both of my kids love being a part of his “piano class”. He tailors his lessons to each child and their ability.
The best part about the “buddy program” is it encourages kids to play in coordination as well as make learning more fun, looking up to each other. I drive almost 90 mins for a 30 mins class, which explains a lot.
His teaching method is thorough, instructive, and fun, which helps build a solid foundation for kids to develop their interests and skills in playing piano.
A master tells you what he expects of you, a teacher awakens your own expectations. Dr. Tem plays piano masterfully, but he is truly a teacher and artist first.