Joe Santerre

"My approach to teaching is tailored to the individual student. Each student is unique in his or her strengths, weaknesses, goals, and desires. Therefore, I try to custom design each individual's private lessons, so that strengths are reinforced, weaknesses are strengthened, and every student's goals and desires are reached, or at least moved closer."

"My own performance background is a huge influence on the way I teach. What I have to say in the classroom is directly related to my performance experiences. Once students get a solid mastery of the basics, I teach them how all that theory information they've been learning can be used practically, in real life playing."

"Teaching at Berklee has many benefits. It helps me to keep current with new players, techniques, bands, gear, etc. The faculty here are involved in their own performing projects—which makes them better teachers. Faculty members and students come from many different countries, so we have the opportunity to play with people from all over the world. And, most importantly, we get to help students learn and grow as musicians."