Viola Lessons in San Leandro, CA

Instruments: Viola

For beginners, we'll start with the ABCs of Viola, and Hal Leonard's Essential Elements for Strings, along with Suzuki, Vol 1. We'll work on developing skills as a soloist, and simple duets that the student and I can play together. For intermediate students, we'll go further into the Hal Leonard books, and the Suzuki series, 2 octave scales, double stops, vibrato, musical phrasing. It's very important to enjoy the process of learning the viola, so I always want to make it fun! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Viola Saxophone Flute Clarinet

I began teaching private lessons part-timewhen I was still in high school on Long Island. I have taught in elementary day care in the early 1990's and taught in public schools elementary general music and chorus, beginning instrumental music at the elementary level, as well as middle school orchestra in the San Lorenzo Unified School District. After a vocal chord injury, I left the public schools to create my indie record label, produce new projects and allow healing. Read More

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Music

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their first recital performance. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level. Any learning repertoire can be incorporated into lessons depending on the students playing level. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

For my beginning students, I start out with a mixture of my own exercises, as well as basic songs using open strings, string crossings and rhythms, before moving to songs with basic fingerwork on one string (scale plus rhythm based). I usually supplement this beginning process with Essential Elements, before intruducing the Suzuki Method Book 1, Doflein Method Book 1, and rhythmic exercises from the Kodaly method. For my intermediate students, I use a mixture of Galamian bowing technique, emphasis on etudes and position work, Suzuki method, Barbara Barber scales and rep. books, and level-appropriate classical literature, combined with solo repetoire of the student's interest/choosing. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I believe that keeping my students motivated is a strong factor to achieve things faster. Usually students come to me because they have a true love to music and an especific instrument. I enjoy doing group lessons but I do preffer one by one lessons. There is a better chance to motice each studen's needs and lacks so that I know what kind of information they need to improve it. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Organ Ukulele Electric Violin Music Keyboard Electric Guitar

Throughout years of teaching I began making every lesson unique in a way that would benefit the student the most. The number one goal is for the student to have fun and learn at the same time. I was taught in a very rigorous fashion by high level teachers. I know what it means to look forward to coming to class. I love teaching because it lets me avoid the mistakes my teachers made in the past when it came my time to learn music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Viola Ukulele Keyboard Electric Guitar Acoustic Guitar

'm here to motivate and inspire. There is no one right approach to learning music and I'm adept at understanding how each individual learns. I can help to formulate and achieve goals or simply offer an expressive outlet that is safe, enlightening and encouraging. I offer mentorship and help with choices, in a professional or recreational capacity, within the music and entertainment fields. I facilitate the most enjoyable approach to practice so my students develop skills, confidence and a love of music. Read More