Toronto, Ontario, Canada
☆ Artistic Director ☆ Music Teacher (O.C.T., B.Ed., M. Mus.) ☆ Clarinetist ✔ Creative, visionary, artistic, accomplished, and highly sought after soloist and chamber musician who has collaborated with a great number of leading Canadian musicians over the past two decades. He frequently appears in solo recitals, chamber music concerts and as soloist with orchestra. His programming ideas combine a passion for the monumental standard repertoire, rarely heard music spanning the past two centuries and new music of the past few years. ✔ A Certified Music Teacher with extensive theoretical and practical, progressive experience delivering inspiring teaching programs, developing curriculum, and mentoring students to improve their perceptions, awareness, and imagination. An innate ability and drive to educate and inspire, coupled with a proven track record in collaborating with education coordinators, instructors, parents, students, and other academic staff to create a creative, unique and safe learning environment. ✔ Michael founded his own concert series, Westwood Concerts, in 2013. Now in its fourth season, Westwood Concerts brings in musicians from across Canada to collaborate on innovative and thrilling chamber music concerts. The finale of Westwood Concerts’ second season, featuring Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time, was acclaimed in Musical Toronto as “a truly memorable concert …(leaving one) with a feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to understand the composer’s intention.” Michael, they added, “managed to combine the tension between the airborne creatures and the gravity of human limitation with his stately pacing and resonant tone.” ☞ Solo Recitals ☞ Parent & Student Relations ☞ Diplomatic & Tactful ☞ Curriculum Planning & Delivery ☞ Emotional Intelligence ☞ Chamber Music Concerts ☞ Monumental Standard Repertoire ☞ Own Concert Series ☞ Persuasive Communicator
Westwood concerts is based on the idea that classical concerts can be enjoyed not only for the great music and performances but also for having a relaxed, fun and engaging atmosphere. ► The series is founded and run by clarinetist Michael Westwood who has a passion for presenting great music in a way that audiences will leave saying “that was a lot of fun” just as often as “the music was amazing. ► Michael completed his Masters degree in Music in 1998 from the studio of the late Avrahm Galper in Toronto. He is currently returning to performing after a ten year hiatus during which he was pursuing other goals including summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro in 2010.
Designed and delivered lesson plans in accordance with the Ministry of Education Curriculum for the Arts (Music). Generated assessments AS, OF, and FOR learning in accordance with Growing Success ♣ Stressed critical thinking and embedded this idea throughout cross-curricular teaching practices. ♣ Utilized effective interpersonal skills by teaching, leading and providing coaching as well as feedback to students. Persuaded and coached students on various subject matter and provided timely feedback on projects and exams. ♣ Presented complex quantitative and qualitative information in technologically enhanced environment. ♣ Provided advice, consultation, and recommendation on content development and presentation. ► Coached elementary girls’ soccer. Prepared the school wind ensemble for performance at the Spring Arts Showcase. ► Organized fully the School Gala fundraising event “An Evening of Culture.” Delivered morning lecture series “Coffee and Culture” designed for parents and students.
Supervised and conducted engaging lessons, including crayfish studies, bike trips, hiking excursions, pond studies, service projects, high ropes, and various crafts ♣ Delivered curriculum on outdoor education to students from junior kindergarten to grade 8. ♣ Sparked creativity and imagination by helping children discover new things each day. ♣ Supervised circle time, free play, outside play and learning and developmental activities. ♣ Successfully planned, used ongoing and varied assessment strategies to deliver the curriculum using various media, text forms, and IT to support student engagement, motivation and literacy and numeracy learning. ► Developed comprehensive lesson plans, assessment rubrics, tests, and learning activities. Catered to diverse range of needs of the student body with a variety of behavior issues, and a myriad of varying learning styles.
Taught the clarinet sectionals for two ensembles. Assessed and evaluated student progress, utilizing tests, quizzes, oral presentations, and ongoing observations ♣ Scheduled and held parent-teacher conferences to keep parents up-to-date on children's academic performance. ♣ Demonstrated commitment to build effective partnerships with parents, community, and teachers. ♣ Motivated students through enthusiastic teaching and creative lessons using manipulatives and unique materials.