Viola Lessons in Northwood, MD

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

My main goal is to create a positive, productive and enjoyable learning experience for my students. In my lessons, I am helping my students to learn not only the particular technique or element but some aspects of music history as well as composers' background and important facts about musical styles. Each semester I have a recital for my students where they can share their progress and excitement about the lessons and music. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola

I have been teaching for six years, giving lessons at my home to students aging from 6 to 60. In addition to private lessons, I have worked as an assistant coach to the Harford String Orchestra, a youth orchestra for gifted middle school students. As a teacher, my goal is to share my passion and love of music, by combining classical music with music my students are interested in. This has proven to form a compromise with students, making lessons and practicing more appealing, especially for younger students interested in playing music they are already familiar with. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My teaching style for young beginners is fun and encouraging. I stay very positive to encourage and motivate them. There is nothing like seeing young students staying focused and playing very confidently and feel good about themselves. That is very rewarding to me. I also show them how to practice with a clear demonstration and I like to build them up with good basics like good intonation, accurate rhythm and counting observing the dynamics and bowings carefully. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle Music

My teaching philosophy revolves around nurturing musical independence among my students. It is my goal that they can confidently approach a piece, making informed decisions about both technical and musical aspects. To facilitate this, I employ creative mnemonic techniques, transforming complex concepts into catchy and memorable phrases. By integrating multiple schools of music and violin playing, including Russian, French, and American traditions, I provide students with a holistic foundation. My approach blends technical exercises inherited from pedagogues like Ivan Galamian with interpretive insights gained from world-class musicians. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Recorder

For my youngest students, age 7 and under, I begin with Adventures in Violinland, a wonderful method written by Shirley Givens, instructor at Peabody Preperatory. This teaches note reading with a solfegg system. It has a strong emphasis on technique. For beginners ages 8 and up, I use either Essential Elements or Sound Innovations, usually matching it with whatever the school district uses that the student lives in. As the students progress, I use the Suzuki repertoire as well as various scale and technique books. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Music Keyboard

All voice students will gain a working knowledge of English, Italian, French, and German basic translations, pronunciation, and performance styles; along with IPA phonetics. Theory and Composition students will work from Alfred's Essentials of Music Theory and William Russo's Composing Music as well as supplemental activities. They will compose both by hand and with Finale. Advanced students will be introduced to symphonic composition, arranging, and orchestration. All students will have a level of ownership to their lessons, guiding them to suite their end goals. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My Experience: With a deep-rooted passion for music and an unwavering commitment to nurturing talent, I bring a wealth of teaching experience to Musika Music Lessons. My journey as a violin and viola instructor has spanned across diverse environments and cultures, spanning over two decades. My teaching odyssey commenced during my college years, blossoming into a thriving part-time endeavor eight years ago. For the past five years, my home studio has served as the vibrant backdrop for countless musical journeys. Read More