Viola Lessons in Box Canyon, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle

I began my work as a teacher in college at UCLA and at Cazadero Music Camp in Northern California, both as a private instructor and group instructor in violin and viola. After 10 years of classical study and performance I decided to pursue a degree in Ethnomusicology, and direct my studies specifically toward American folk fiddling. While studying under fiddler Richard Greene, I discovered a love for playing and passing down folk music in the oral tradition, and saw the benefits of a multi-genre musical education first hand. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For young students, I use a Suzuki Method hybrid, meaning I incorporate additional note-reading and music theory elements while using the Suzuki Violin books and Suzuki's core values of imitation and ear training. I also supplement with many pieces outside of the Suzuki Method, including folk, blues, fiddle, and other styles. As students progress I include traditional etudes, technique studies and scales. My ultimate goal is to give my students all the tools they need to play and learn pieces on their own, and to that end I ensure they fully comprehend and master each step of learning before introducing new concepts. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Acoustic Guitar

She was also a principal cellist for the World Orchestra and the National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela, among others. Currently, Ms. Circe D. is the principal cellist with the Pacific Opera Project. She also is a Teaching Artist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Whittier Youth Orchestra, and Santa Monica Conservatory of Music, and is the conductor of the Watts-Willowbrook Conservatory Youth Orchestra and Harmony Project at Longfellow Elementary School. She is a founding member of the JAC Trio, and the Yellow Bird String Quartet. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

Music is experienced ears-first, and that's how I prefer to teach. I certainly teach everyone to read music if they don't already know how, but I really like to help people hear the music they want to make. This is done through listening assignments, playing with my students during lessons, some music memorization, and singing. I also incorporate a lot of improvisation games to get students making sounds pressure-free and help them access their inner expressive voice. 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: Violin Viola

For beginning students, I start with Gerald E. Anderson and Robert S. Frost's All for Strings. Once the students made progression in basic fundamentals, I use the Suzuki Methods Books and Solo for Young Violinists by Barbara Barber. Along with that, I introduce the students to the chamber music so that the students learn to play with others. For adults, I try to provide the students in their interested music so that, playing music is fun and entertaining to them. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

 I've been actively teaching for nearly 35 years. Teaching children as well as adults. I graduated from Drake University in 1989 with a Bachelor of Music Education. While in college I played professionally in the Des Moines Symphony and was the winner of the Young Artist Contest which afforded me the privilege of featured soloist with the Drake Symphony Orchestra. I've travelled Europe performing in America's Youth in Concert and have played at Carnegie Hall, Notre Dame. Read More