Viola Lessons in Ridgewood, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Drums Mallet Percussion Orchestral Percussion Conga Keyboard Electric Guitar Djembe Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

I draw inspiration largely from my Rudolf Steiner-inspired pre-college education and my Carl Orff-inspired higher education. Waldorf/Steiner education "emphasizes the role of imagination in learning, striving to integrate holistically the intellectual, practical, and artistic development of pupils" while the Orff Approach "combines music, movement, drama, and speech into lessons that are similar to child's world of play." Read More

Instruments: Viola

I first began teaching the summer before I started high school, which is also when I began my first studio! In my home town in Connecticut, children start playin string instruments in the 3rd grade, and so my old elementary school teacher asked me if she could put me on a list for the kids and their parents to contact if they wanted extra teaching outside of school. From there, I formed a stuido of about 7 students ranging from ages 4-10, and some just beginning while others quite advanced for their age. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I believe every student needs a comfortable, fun and non-judgmental environment to thrive. My main goal is to help them achieve their goals (passing exams, getting a scholarship, joining an orchestra, performing at school, playing their favorite pop songs at home, etc) and to enjoy the journey. I am easy-going and understanding but I expect all my students to practise from one lesson to the next and I always set clear and realistic goals. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle Music

My first violin student started with me 9 years ago during my undergraduate studies in Utah. I realized that teaching is much different than performing and started taking classes to be a better instructor. I grew up studying the Suzuki books and have registered Violin Teacher Training Units 1-4 with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. In college, I studied Violin Pedagogy with the esteemed pedagogue Dr. Kasia Sokol-Borup who demonstrated how to enhance the Suzuki method with other styles of teaching. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Music

While most beginning students respond well to the Suzuki method, I also incorporate elements of traditional (namely note-reading) and Dalcroze methods (namely movement, improv, and aural skills) in my teaching. I am also experienced in preparing students for auditions and examinations, such as the Royal Conservatory of Music examination in Canada and ABRSM in the UK. For more information on Suzuki method, please visit https://suzukiassociation.org/about/suzuki-method/ For more information on Dalcroze method, please visit https://dalcrozeusa.org/about-dalcroze/what-is-dalcroze/       Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Each student has their own pace of learning and their own style of learning. I recognize that and feel that instruction tailored to a student's individual style will make for faster and more rewarding progress. Also, I feel that a positive environment that acknowledges accomplishments with positive reinforcement makes for a stable and fun learning environment. My ultimate goal for a student is to foster a life long love of learning and a life long appreciation for the violin/viola and music in general. 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