Viola Lessons in Glenolden, PA

Instruments: Violin Viola

In highschool I worked with a music mentoring program.  I would travel to local elementary schools and teach children from 2nd to 4th grade violin in small groups.  This cultivated my love of teaching.  Though in college I never had the opportunity to teach privately due to my busy schedule, during breaks I would often give masterclass style lessons to students of my former teacher Michael Bandimere when they were preparing for performances or auditions. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

My teaching philosophy is a product of the centuries tested methods of great violinists and violists and their descendent students. Those I have studied with and performed for include all four members of the Ying Quartet, C.J. Chang, Catherine Caroll, Nokothula Ngwenyama, and Roberto Diaz. Centering around the most simple and effortless playing techniques, my style of teaching is designed to facilitate the fastest route to excellence and the development of the student's own personal style and musical ideas. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Keyboard

Music is deeply personal; one must get to know each student's own personality, interests, and connections to music. Early on (both in the teaching relationship and in each lesson) one must assess where the student is, as to technical and musical growth, and with the music at hand. Then one finds, models, explains and encourages the next steps the student can achieve. Clear guidance and dialogue about what will happen outside the studio (listening, practice, rehearsal, performance) helps turn the weekly cycle of lessons into an upward spiral of progress, achievement, and reward. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I have complemented my music education by performing continuously over the last 20 years, including many cities and stages around the world, from my early years in junior ensembles to The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Symphony in C orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, and the iPalpiti chamber orchestra of international laureates. Probably my greatest blessing and professional accomplishment is being invited to perform as the soloist as well as a chamber and orchestra musician at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall (NYC), Napa Valley Performing Arts Center at Lincoln Theater (CA), Kimmel Center (Philadelphia PA), Walt Disney Hall (Los Angeles CA), John F. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I first began teaching in high school, where I would tutor the younger middle school students. As my education progressed, so did my teaching experience. I attended American University, where I received my bachelor's degree in music performance, and then continued to study at Northwestern University, where I received my master's degree. After graduating, I started working at an El Sistema inspired program, called Sistema Ravinia in Chicago, where I was one of the first teachers. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Electric Violin Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

For my string students learning violin, viola or cello I typically use the Suzuki method books. There are times that I might recommend the Essential Elements series for those who are just starting off, but at some point I switch the student over to Suzuki. Another supplemental book I encourage my students to get when they get to a certain level is Essentials for Strings. This is primarily a scale book, but it also contains a number of other helpful exercises and resources. Read More