Viola Lessons in Rimpau, CA

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Bass Guitar Ukulele Mandolin Keyboard Electric Guitar Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

Traditional. Classical: Suzuki Jazz: Mel Bay Modern Guitar and Mickey Baker. Styles and lesson books used varied depending upon student and school. I like to involve the student in any way I can and make sure they have an interest in the subject matter. I stress the importance of practicing and enjoyment of music. I believe music is a universal language and I approach lessons with an intuitive understanding of musical elements as well as traditional study of theory and craft. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My strong point as a teacher is figuring out how each student best learns. Everybody has a different style of learning, and I make sure to cater to the student's needs in that way. My lessons are light-hearted yet very productive. The most important skill for a student to have is to know how to practice efficiently. I set my students up for success by teaching them practice methods as well as looking at small details in the music in order to make them a better player. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle

I began my work as a teacher in college at UCLA and at Cazadero Music Camp in Northern California, both as a private instructor and group instructor in violin and viola. After 10 years of classical study and performance I decided to pursue a degree in Ethnomusicology, and direct my studies specifically toward American folk fiddling. While studying under fiddler Richard Greene, I discovered a love for playing and passing down folk music in the oral tradition, and saw the benefits of a multi-genre musical education first hand. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I feel very good when I see that my students are enjoying and making progress in their playing~! Therefore, I help my students find their goals to help them see their accomplishments and achievements as well. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with the Suzuki Violin Method (Viola version available) with occasional ear training with the piano with the Kodaly method. For intermediate and advanced students, I introduce a variety of etudes, scale books, and solo repertoire, e.g. Carl Flesch, Kreutzer, Mazas, Dont, Dounis, and Unaccompanied Bach, etc. For viola students or violinists who are looking into doubling the viola, I introduce many techniques including Karen Tuttle and Primrose Scales to help along with the transition. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

Once the student has a clear understanding of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire and etudes. To make the lesson more engaging, I am flexible in regard to choosing music pieces that a student may want to learn or not. I usually ask a student if they have a piece they would like to learn. If yes, then I will teach that piece for my student. If not, then I can find pieces to get the student interested in learning. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet French Horn Piccolo Oboe

My approach to learning an instruments is to have the students learn to play by ear first before they can start learning to read music. I find that most students are able to progress quickly because it frees them to focus on the playing the instruments rather than reading notes. I consider reading music like different subject that they learn later. Learning music is like learning to speak. First we learn to talk and then we learn to read and write. Read More