Viola Lessons in Montclair, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

Hi there! My name is Brandon Encinas, violinist and violist living in the Los Angeles area! I’ve been playing violin for 23 years and work as a performing and recording artist. I’ve had the joy of sending some of my students to top university’s and music schools across the country over the last decade. I also record with studios across Los Angeles, and some of my favorite projects are done at home from my home recording set up, where I can work with composers and artists from all over the world. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Flute Drums Bass Guitar Organ Electric Violin Double Bass

I am very flexible with my teaching methods and put together the best style matching the student's learning strengths. Furthermore, I update and change my methods if I feel the current method is becoming ineffective. I keep my lessons interactive with the student because the time is for the student to retrieve as much information as he/she can regarding their instrument and they can build a stronger week of preparation heading into the next lesson.  Currently my most used methods are teaching via classical, pop & jazz, and Suzuki methods. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Saxophone Flute Clarinet Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Harmonica Recorder Electric Violin Fiddle Piccolo Oboe English Horn Keyboard

I am a classical trained musician. I was brought up in Bloomington Indiana, the home of the no.1 rated music school in the States (by the teacher's association). Ever since I was 10, I was involved with the University music life. I had the fortune to study with Janos Starker - perhaps the greatest cello technician in the world! His playing style is comfortable, clean, natural, and free of tension problems. 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

Derek is a Grammy-nominated trombonist based in Los Angeles, California. Derek completed a BM in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas in 2016 and an MM in Studio Music and Jazz Trombone at the University of Miamis Frost School of Music in 2018. As a freelance musician in Los Angeles, Miami, and Dallas, he has been regarded as a first-call musician in many styles of music for the past 5 years. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My method varies from student to student - It really depends on the students level. For a beginner student, I would focus giving the basic music foundation for violin: posture and bow hold, solid intonation and tone, and good sense of rhythm. More importantly, I teach the student to be aware of how to create a beautiful sound versus a bad sound. Furthermore, I use Hirmaly Violin Scale book for technique and Suzuki Book for the music pieces for beginner students. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Drums Bass Guitar Synthesizer Ukulele Electric Violin Double Bass Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Progress is not always easy when learning to play a new instrument. Everyone learns at there own pace, and with each lessons I will set attainable goals for the student. it is best when students have varying difficulties of material within their material in order to provide opportunity for satisfaction despite whatever struggles they may have. I encourage daily practice, even if only for small amounts of time. Effective practice requires some level of independence, and I focus a lot our time on the art of practicing, and how to focus your attention in order to get the best out of your practice time. 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