Byron D
Instruments: Violin, Cello, Viola
Styles: Classical, Jazz

I was born into a family of string teachers. My father was a conductor and cellist and also played violin. My mother was a violinist and my brother. So it was only natural this became my course in life. I started on the violin, but soon focused on the cello. I was surrounded by string teaching my whole life.  But it was not until I met George Neikrug and learned about D. C. Dounis, that my desire to learn the mysteries of string playing was satisfied. I have studied with George Neikrug for over 20 years and have learned the Dounis method. 

THE DOUNIS METHOD - The secret of being a truly great string player is to make the instrument an extension of the body not vice versa. This is accomplished by using your native instincts which are strongest when you are a child, but can be rediscovered later. When all technique is based on these instinctive movements then the expression is released. Your creative potential is unlocked. This kind of playing conveys a natural musical authority because it is completely based on your own musical impulses.   The secret to reawakening your native instincts is through what I call "remedies." These remedies reawaken your instincts. An example is touching a smooth surface and then imitating that when touching the string. These kind of remedies solve many problems without having to address them directly.