Violin Lessons in Portage Bay, WA

Instruments: Violin

Avonlea is a violinist and music educator based in Olympia, Washington. She began her violin instruction at a young age and has become a successful performer of solo, chamber, and orchestral literature. She has been an active violin instructor and performer since 2012. Avonlea received her degree in Music Education from Florida State University, one of the most prestigious universities for music educators. She studied education under well-known contributors to the field such as Clifford Madsen, Alice-Ann Darrow, and Kasia Bugaj, and studied performance under Shannon Thomas. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My students are encouraged to take an active part in setting goals for their learning so that they develop a sense of autonomy early on in their musical careers. I ask all students that are new to me if there is specific music they wish to be able to play, what their "wish list" is for their own personal improvement and what they think they do best/what they most enjoy about violin or music as a whole; Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Mandolin Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle

I have been teaching violin for 30 years, starting as a bluegrass and Irish fiddle teacher in a folk music store run by a family of performers who were related to the von Trapps of The Sound of Musicfame. Since then, I have tried to continually grow as a performer, musician, and teacher. I have collected a vast amount of muic and resource materials along the way, so I am able to meet each student's needs--from child-friendly beginning repertoire, holiday music, fiddle tunes and jazz standards, to concertos and orchestral excerpts for youth and college orchestra auditions and beyond! Read More

Instruments: Violin

I also work as a vocal performer and have sung classically in many choral ensembles and churches. I worked at the University of South Carolina String Project and have taught elementary and middle school orchestra. My greatest passion remains sharing my love of violin with private students who are excited to learn - many of my students have made all state orchestra, gained acceptance into youth orchestras, and won music scholarships for college. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

For younger students who are beginning, I usually start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. This book has great materials for setting up the violin and bow hold, reading notes, rhythm and other musical markings, and introducing basic music theory such as time and key signatures. Also, this book incorporates the foundation of all musical learning, scales and arpeggios, into fun exercises that are enjoyable for every student.For older students who have more experience, I have a range of etudes from Sevcik to Kreutzer that can futher develop and solidify a good foundation of technique.For musical training, I use solo repertoire from Suzuki and other sources that are appropriate for each student's level so that he/she can be healthily challenged musically and technically while feeling accomplished during performances. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin

To my surprise, everyone, including that 6 year old, had a clear answer. All of them were different reasons and goals. I started writing notes at the end of each lesson on what a student had specifically struggled with, mastered, showed signs of improvement since the previous lesson, what exercises were draining on them, and what exercises they resonated with. I also took note of their mood and energy at the beginning of the lesson compared to the end. Read More