Outstanding University Teacher Award, Tenure Track
Adriana Ransom, Ph.D.
- Doctorate in Musical Arts degree from the University of Minnesota in 2005. Joined the ISU faculty in 2006.
- Professor of Cello and Director of ISU String Project.
Teaching Philosophy
My goal as a teacher is to be a dedicated, inspiring, sincere, and professional mentor for each of my students as they journey on their individual paths towards musical mastery, carefully considering their evolving strengths, weaknesses, ambitions, and motivations.
The resource or person that has been the most important influence in my teaching career is
I am fortunate to have had several wonderful and influential music teachers, who in addition to modeling specific teaching practices (fostering a positive learning environment, the importance of structured lessons, giving appropriate challenges, demanding artistry at all times, and fostering service activities through music), demonstrated that a true teacher-mentor can have a positive and long-term impact on a student's life.
The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is
The most rewarding aspect of teaching for me is the moment that I get to be an audience member at a student performance, when all the hard technical work and practice is forgotten and I can just enjoy the beauty and excitement of a great performance.
Regarding my teaching accomplishments, I am proudest about
My successful alumni, who are taking the collaborative, respectful, and service-oriented spirit of ISU into their own professional teaching and performing environments.
