Viola Lessons in Azusa, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

I think it is important to have a strong foundation when you're learning to play an instrument. And what is absolutely essential is scales. If you can play scales well, then you're off to a good start! You may very well be able to learn new music faster and play the pieces better! However, I do not believe that scales should dominate the lesson because that is not fun for the student or the teacher. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Drums Conga Latin Percussion Music Electric Guitar Djembe Acoustic Guitar

I am a composer and performer who relishes music education! I hope to be a perfect fit to your needs as a teacher and I am determined to bring the best out of you, whether a beginner, intermediate or advanced student. I am a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where I majored in Contemporary Writing Production (Music Production Arranging) as well as Jazz Composition. At the college, I had to privilege to perform with Arnie Roth at the Boston Symphony Hall as a violinist, as well as perform and record with microtonal pioneer, David Fiuczynski on Drums. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My method varies from student to student - It really depends on the students level. For a beginner student, I would focus giving the basic music foundation for violin: posture and bow hold, solid intonation and tone, and good sense of rhythm. More importantly, I teach the student to be aware of how to create a beautiful sound versus a bad sound. Furthermore, I use Hirmaly Violin Scale book for technique and Suzuki Book for the music pieces for beginner students. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My strong point as a teacher is figuring out how each student best learns. Everybody has a different style of learning, and I make sure to cater to the student's needs in that way. My lessons are light-hearted yet very productive. The most important skill for a student to have is to know how to practice efficiently. I set my students up for success by teaching them practice methods as well as looking at small details in the music in order to make them a better player. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

For stringed instruments, I uses the Suzuki method for teaching the basic repertory of the instruments. This method is an ear training method in which the student plays by ear. It starts out very simple so students of all ages can learn and progress very quickly. For learning to read music I use one of the method books like "A Tune a day" or Strictly Strings which teach the fundamentals of read music and music theory. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Organ Synthesizer Harp Accordion Harmonica Lap Steel Guitar Banjo Ukulele Mandolin Recorder Lute Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Euphonium French Horn Tuba Piccolo Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Shakuhachi Oboe Bassoon English Horn Conga Latin Percussion Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonards Essential Elements book, as well a basic understanding of music. Once the student has progressed to have a nice grasp of the fundamentals of music, I usually begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. I also believe in the importance of listening to as many professional recordings as possible of the instrument the student is taking lessons on. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

Mr. Li directed the musical The Wiz at the Tugaloos college of Mississippi and directed the Tchaikovskys Nutcracker Ballet at Madison Cultural Center in Mississippi. Since he moved to California in 2002, I focused on music education; he was director of Waltrips Yamaha Music School, and later a director of the music program and a faculty member at the Arroyo Pacific Academy. In recent years, I have organized and conducted student string ensembles and school choirs to perform for different local venues, including school events, senior community centers, and Christmas concerts or other holiday occasions. Read More