Viola Lessons in Decatur, GA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Drums Bass Guitar Ukulele Recorder Double Bass Music Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Following a long, fun and successful 20+ year career as a pro musician, I became a full-time music teacher. I was the founding music teacher at St. Benedict's Episcopal school in Smyrna, GA where I taught music K-8 for seven years. Then I joined The SAE School in Mableton, GA, where for the past three years I have taught K-12 music, creating a new middle school orchestra and high school Project Based Learning curriculum for music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Music Keyboard

I am a member of the Symphonicity Orchestra in Virginia Beach, VA and the Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra in Atlanta, GA. I have studied under the direction of The Hampton Roads Chamber Players and The Bay Youth Orchestra in Norfolk, VA. Currently performs several times a year at The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC and several other events in the Atlanta Metro area. Pursuing school for a Bachelors in Complimentary and Alternative Health specializing in music therapy at Ashford University. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Music Keyboard

I love seeing my students get excited when they play a song perfectly for a performance, and I understand that there is a long road to get them to that point. I am a firm believer in using encouraging words over disciplinary actions when a student does something incorrectly. I have first hand seen the difference between the two and I have a history of my students always being excited to continue learning when they are encouraged. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

My philosophy on teaching covers many bases. I teach so that the student may succeed. It does not bother me if a student desires to achieve some other goal than becoming a professional musician. When I taught public school my students had varying dreams for their future. It became clear that they needed me to inspire them and assist them in building confidence. To that end I help students get out of their own way to gain self discipline and drive. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

While teaching I emphasize relaxation. Our goal is to achieve the best results with the least amount of effort. This emphasis also prevents injuries, and I've found it always improves the speed at which we learn. My teaching style is always relaxed. Gradually, as the student advances I learn how much I should expect from them and gently push them to expecting more from themselves over time. I am certainly more hard on students aiming to become professionals and play their instrument as a profession than I am on those seeking just to enjoy it as a hobby, but all of these students eventually can play the highest level of music, at their own pace. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Flute Ukulele Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass Music Keyboard

For beginner strings I use several method books (elementary and 6th students can come with prescribed method books from their public school teacher) such as Essential Elements, Orchestra Expressions, String Essentials. If parents would like to use solo books, I use Suzuki Method Books (not necessarily the method of only learning by ear) in conjunction with note reading workbooks. As they age I use other method books (violin, viola, cello. double bass) such as Wohlfahrt, Mazas, Kreutzer, Flesch, Schradieck, Dont, Bach Sonatas and Partitas, Rick Mooney's shifting and thump position book series, Klengel, Bach Cello Suites, Popper, PIatti, Smandl Method, Fischer, and of course as they advance any standard sonatas and concerti, such as Mozart 5 in AM, Mendelssohn in em, Hadyn Concerto in CM, anything from the Baroque, classical, and romantic era. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

I teach the basics using a combination of methods, customizing lessons to each student's skill level, ability level, and interest (classical/folk/modern). For beginning students I suggest using the Suzuki Method, or Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once each student is ready to move beyond the fundamentals, I find exercises and solos to best fit and improve their skill level for recital performances, competitions, strings class/orchestra, or other activities. Read More