Music Lessons in Quantico, VA

Instruments: Violin

Did you have a teacher that inspired you to go into music? How did they inspire you?
Yes, my first private instructor was my first major inspiration for pursuing music as a a career possibility. He played with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for over 40 years. He combined traditional repertoire for the violin but also incorporated popular music as part of my lessons. This approach demonstrated to me that the violin is relevant to a variety of musical genre. My teacher would allow me backstage at concerts at Kleinhans Music Hall and introduce me to artists like Itzhak Perlman, Aaron Copeland and others. I felt at home in this environment.

What is your dream piece to perform and why?
There is an abundance of violin repertoire that appeals to me. However, the Beethoven Violin Concerto is a piece that I would love to perform. I have read through sections of it but never truly learned it. The second movement is one the most lyrical compositions ever written for the instrument. I recall playing in the violin section with a Chinese violin soloist. She moved me to tears by her interpretation of the second movement. It was both soulful and prayerful. Beethoven balances tender expression with drama and intensity in this movement.

What do you think is the hardest thing to master on your instrument?
I would have to say that the bow is the most difficult aspect of the violin to master. There are multiple bow techniques that require diligent practice. There is staccato (sharp detachment of each note with the bow), spiccato (bouncing the bow), richochet, (metered or rhythmic bouncing of the bow); collegno (using the wood of the bow). For example, richocet bowing technique is used in the "William Tell Overture" by Rossini. It is characterized by it galloping effect that everyone can instantly identify. The left and right hand can work in tandem but sometimes work independently. Training the mind and body to accomplish this feat takes persistent repitition.

How do I know if my child is ready to start lessons?
I have found that children younger than 6 years old are generally not yet ready to start lessons although there are exceptions. I believe that all children are intrigued by musical sounds and will demonstrate their desire to learn an instrument by imitating musicians they see on television or hear on the radio, or Internet - namely, YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, etc. Furthermore, kids with a strong propensity for taking lessons will frequently talk about it in every day conversation with family and friends. A colleague of mine said that she attended concerts at the Kennedy Center when she was a child always focusing her attention on the instrumental soloist. She told her parents who were both church musicians that she wanted to wear a long dress and play on stage in front of an audience too. She is now a world class violinist and associate violin professor at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is often called upon by regional symphony orchestras to perform as soloist.

What advice do you have about practicing effectively?
I recommend slow consistent practice consisting of scales, arpeggios, etudes, and solo repertoire. Practice should be disciplined and intentional with specific goals for each session. For example, bowing and left hand techniques, phrasing, intonation, posture. Beginning students should strive for 30 minutes, intermediate students 45 minutes; advanced students 60 minutes. Solo performers will generally exceed 120 minutes to several hours. In any scenario, care must be exercised to avoid overuse injuries.

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