Viola Lessons in Marble Hill, NY

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I am a violinist of 20 years, originally from New Haven, CT. My passion for helping each student reach his or her highest potential has led me to an extensive career in public school teaching. I have taught violin, viola, cello, and double bass privately for over 10 years. I have spent the last 5 years focusing on reaching students of all abilities through teaching in the public classroom- working with students of all ages, and teaching general music, band, and orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

This pedagogy uses the Suzuki repertoire but can also be used with other books. The Suzuki (Japanese) method is one of the most popular in the US. This method establishes strong musical and technical fundamentals. Other methods lead to similar results and can be just as enjoyable and interesting. Some examples are Robert Trorys (British) books or The Sassmannhaus Tradition (German). For older children and adults, I choose appropriate repertoire based on their musical interests, while still focusing on technique. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, I use the Essential Elements book 1. This book introduces the student to the instrument in the most practical way while making it fun, and it has the student reading music from the beginning, which I find very important. After this, we go on to Suzuki book 2 and a scale book. Then we move our way through the Suzuki books and start to incorporate more complex scales and etudes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

In the beginning, students will see more progress than they will later on. After progressing past the basics, they will begin to synthesize information from lessons and experience to solve unique problems to keep growing musically. Rarely will a teacher have the precise answer for specific "blockade," but I will always provide great insights and ideas that can be very useful to overcome your practice barriers. This process of info synthesis is delicate and time consuming, but it is the most vital part of the learning process. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginner students, I like to work on positioning the instrument, proper bow hold, and simple string crossing exercises. A great beginners book is the quick steps to note reading. I believe beginner students should be practicing with this book every day. When they are ready to start learning pieces, I really like to use the Suzuki books. This works for both young beginners and adult beginners. For students who are more advanced, I am adamant about them practicing scales and etudes. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

After each lesson, I wrote down their homework, and if a parent is there, I go over their progress. If it's an adult student, I obviously don't have to do that, but I enjoy all ages, and have students 4-82 currently! I even go to teach my 82 year old student, at her assisted living place! The difference between a kid and an adult student, is usually, that the child notices the correctly notes, while the adult thinks they had to be 7 to learn. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Drums Bass Guitar

I have been a student of the art since I was 11 years old. I studied at Five Towns College and have since performed with all manner of ensembles including Musical Theatre, Rock and Pop, Metal, Blues, and Opera. As well as teaching and performing, I am also an experienced guitar technician and repair professional. Music, and my commitment to my students has been my life for as long as memory serves. Read More