SEBA ALI

The Piano Studio of Dr. Ali - Teaching Philosophy: One golden thing we learn from the arts is that everyone is a different artist with a different palate. Magic, it may seem, but it is there to reassure our differences and uniqueness to create our togetherness. It is about the balance between a productive environment reaching full potential, and one where everyone is celebrated, respected, included, and loved. Precisely what I always aim to create as an educator; is an environment based on acceptance and celebration of the commonality and differences in us. Regardless of what I am teaching, where, or with whom I am performing. Like many Artists of Color, growing up in Egypt with limited resources taught me to recognize and appreciate the value of opportunity. I learned to realize and exercise perseverance, embrace challenges, garner passion, and formulate long-term goals. My creative process also stretched, as I was inspired to think outside the box by finding alternative solutions when resources were simply not available. As an educator, I see that my duty is to join and guide my students through their journey of self-awareness and acceptance. “I am worth it” is a motto that shall accompany them in every work they produce. I also lead by action; I want my students and community to see the possibilities and potential instead of the obstacles. Imagination has been somewhat underrated in our education system due to many reasons, including the expectation of society. Every one of us is expected to deliver a certain “thing” through our job, education, parenthood, and the list goes on. The core of my teaching is always asking my students what they imagine their future is like. How do they imagine reaching there? What can I do as a mentor to help them achieve that? While this may be a naive look at the world, their answers are not what matters here but rather the process and the journey. I work to equip all my students with the tools and strategies that would forever help them navigate their journey as humans, assuring them that the process is always more important than the product. My philosophy of teaching is derived from the influence of my mentors, former teachers, and professional experiences. Throughout the many years of studying in the Middle East and the United States, I have been fortunate to have wonderfully committed mentors, and I am proud and honored to carry on their message that is strongly embedded with mine. I draw inspiration from my students, their perseverance, and their eagerness to make the world a better place. I started my professional journey with the arts at the age of four and I started teaching when I was fifteen years old. The teaching mission and eagerness to work with beginner learners were vital to me. I consider every student of mine as my child. I want to give all of what I have held within me. You can call me a tiger mom or a dolphin mom, very strict with certain measures to keep my students’ environment a magical place to learn and grow limitlessly. Seba Ali, D.M.A.