Viola Lessons in Norwalk, CT

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola

I have been teaching all age ranges for 10 years. My goals are to make technique and performance perfect, and also have an understanding of the music in its time period and what the composer would want. I also encourage students to write their own music, and also improvise. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I began teaching lessons part time five years ago when I was an undergraduate. I have worked with all ages, from young students to teenagers to adult learners. I also have experience coaching small ensembles at summer string camps. I love to give my students opportunities to play music together and for each other. When I was taking lessons as a young student, I found that the community that my teacher fostered at his studio by holding recitals, weekly group classes and holiday events was just as important to my improvement as my one-on-one time with my teacher. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My approach to teaching is to share my love for music with my students. I will allow students to go at their own pace, and set realistic goals and expectations. I like to focus on intonation heavily, as anything other than excellent intonation is not good playing, in the words of a former instructor. I also encourage creative expression in my students, and will often ask them to try different methods of playing a single phrase in order to increase the depth of their musicality. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

I believe in teaching fundamental principles of technique that can be applied universally, and I encourage students to focus on one basic idea at a time. Scales, arpeggios, etudes and other exercises are an important part of daily practice, reinforced by weekly technique classes. In the study of technique, it is critical that students set attainable goals for themselves, and I help them to organize their practice time with this in mind. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I cater the lessons towards the individual needs of the students.  For beginning students 6 years old and under, I prefer to use Shirley Givens' books, "Adventures In Violinland", along with Suzuki materials through rote memorization.  When the student is 5 or 6 years old or older, I like to use Suzuki materials but supplement with note reading right away.  Also, I love it when a student brings a specific piece of music in that they would like to play, whether it is from the classical repertoire, or jazz, pop, etc. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students who are children, I typically begin by introducing them to the various parts of the instrument, along with the basics of technique and position. New notes and concepts would be introduced through learning familiar songs and pieces. All parents are encouraged to attend their child's violin lessons so that they can aid practice sessions. For adults, I try to find out what the student is most interested in learning, and devise a plan with the student accordingly in order to keep the lessons engaging and fun. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Electric Violin

I have available for trial lessons are instruments (mostly violins one viola) to use! This will give the student a chance to really know if they want to play that particular instrument without having to go in renting blind. I also have a few names of rental places and would be more than happy to accompany a student for a fitting. I tend to use the Suzuki books as a base for my string lessons. Read More