Viola Lessons in Modjeska, CA

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Electric Violin

Teaching is my passion. I started playing the violin at the age of 6 years old. Music gave me confidence in school and in my life. When I was in elementary school I found out that reading comprehension was difficult for me and so I had to get tutoring. I was very strong in music and that boosted my confidence in school. I have a lot of patience because of this but I also have high standards because I know what my students are capable of doing. 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

Most recently Derek was the lead trombonist of the 2018 Disneyland All-American College Band. He has recently performed with Wayne Bergeron, Gordon Goodwin, Dave Holland, Randy Brecker, Dave Liebman, Jimmy Heath, Shaun Martin, Christian Jacob, John Beasley, Troy Roberts, Frank Greene, Brian Lynch, Jeff Jarvis, Steve Houghton, Jiggs Whigham, Sal Lozano, and John Clayton. Derek has had recent performances at Dizzys Club Coca-Cola, the Smithsonian Institute, and the New World Symphony. Read More

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 Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet Oboe English Horn Acoustic Guitar

I use a wide variety of methods depending on the student's current ability level, musical preferences, and goals. I'm also willing to work with a method or book that a student is currently using. Generally, my students have a varying ratio of technique/scale study to work on the foundations, an etude/short piece study to help connect musical ideas and teach expression, and a solo piece that is prepared over a long period of time, most likely for a future recital. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Hello, I love both music, the violin, and working with children of all ages! I recently graduated with a Master's degree in violin pedagogy and moved to Pasadena, CA. While I am trained as a classical violinist with an undergraduate degree in violin performance, I also was privileged to work with the bluegrass fiddler/songwriter Becky Buller for several years along with performing bluegrass music with my family (I am the oldest of 9 children and we all play the violin along with many other instruments and play and sing together). 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