Viola Lessons in San Mateo, 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: Violin Viola

My teaching style may be very detailed, but I believe that a certain level of firmness, honesty, as well as kindness is needed to provide a successful violin learning experience. I want each student to be able to have fun while also feeling that they are improving as well. Each student progresses at their own pace and I will tailor my teaching according to each students unique learning abilities. I believe that what is most important for a student isn't winning competitions but is finding their own love and inspiration for the music they are creating. 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 Viola Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass

The approach to the violin with the orthodox method can be particularly frustrating. The technique is important but equally important is to develop the ability and taste of playing together right away. For this reason, regardless of the styles you want to deepen, I play as much as possible together with the student whether it is classical duets, folk songs or jazz. For the more advanced students a part of the study of the accompaniment is reserved as well as for soloists Calibrating the objectives based on the abilities of the age and the talent of the students is an attention that can avoid frustrations and lead everyone to the common goal of the musicians: to express and continuously improve. 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 began teaching private violin and viola lessons in 2012, and I greatly enjoy working with my students. They range in age from 3 1/2 to adult, and each one has been unique. After beginning lessons with my first student, teaching a semester of music theory, and teaching a summer camp, I became interested in Suzuki methodology and pedagogy. I find that for younger students especially, this method allows for more parent involvement at an age when many parents want to be more involved, and many children equally appreciate this involvement. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Cello Viola Mandolin Recorder Orchestral Percussion Music

I use various methods, books that will fit the student's needs. For instrumental, I use theory book with written activity that helps the student understand the fundamentals of music. In addition, I use various exercise and performance books that will develop the student's skill and master the instrument. For voice, I teach various vocal exercises and vocal techniques that will develop the student's voice. I have been passionate guiding students across various musical genres, including classical and contemporary, and languages such as English, German, Italian, French, and more. Read More