Viola Lessons in Rahway, NJ

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Music

I began teaching private lessons as a sophomore in high school, where at first I had only one violin student. By the time I was a senior in high school I taught 10 students a week, all based on word of mouth recommendation through contacts at my former middle school. My aim for lessons is to present fun yet challenging material in a captivating and exploratory manner. Learning is a very individual experience, thus I employ different mediums and presentation techniques to introduce new concepts and revisit old ones. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Keyboard

My work with the DCYOP, an El-Sistema inspired program, involves teaching the basics of playing the violin, viola, cello and music theory, adjudicating students’ progress, leading sectionals and full rehearsals in various DC schools, some from the most underserved communities. Highlights are having all the different schools come together for a large performance at the Kennedy Center and the students performances with Yo-Yo Ma, Joshua Bell and Esperanza Spalding. I’ve also facilitated many youth orchestra performances and summer camps as string teaching artist in DC and Maryland showcasing that I can motivate the students to a high quality performance regardless of the amount of time. Read More

Instruments: Viola

Mostly I just helped them with their pieces for orchestra and their group lessons at school, but during the summers I would often help them move along in their repertoire and give more of my own technical and musical input to expand upon what they had done in school all year. I currently frequent as a substitute viola teacher and chamber music coach for Karen Ritscher and other professors at the Manhattan School of Music Precollege division. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Traditional classical method, Suzuki method. Trained with teachers of various schools including Galamian and Tuttle techniques. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Keyboard

Music is deeply personal; one must get to know each student's own personality, interests, and connections to music. Early on (both in the teaching relationship and in each lesson) one must assess where the student is, as to technical and musical growth, and with the music at hand. Then one finds, models, explains and encourages the next steps the student can achieve. Clear guidance and dialogue about what will happen outside the studio (listening, practice, rehearsal, performance) helps turn the weekly cycle of lessons into an upward spiral of progress, achievement, and reward. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

I create custom lesson plans for each student based on their level, interests and goals. Typically I start brand new beginners with the basics, learning the parts of the instruments and the notes. Being a very visual learner myself, I enjoy using method books such as the Sassmannshaus series, as they are beautifully illustrated and help to capture and hold young children's attention. In addition to teaching scales and technique, I like to bring in songs that the students enjoy to keep the lessons fun and enjoyable. Read More