Viola Lessons in San Pablo, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola

I began my studies in 2004 in violin. In 2005 I entered into the Technical High School of Music with a specialty in Viola at the University Institute of Fine Arts (Instituto Universitario de Bellas Artes – IUBA) of the University of Colima, with Professor Oleksander Yanyev (Russia). I studied my Bachelors in Music as “Performer Soloist in Orchestral Instrument Specialty in Viola” at the previously mentioned institution, from the year 2008-2012 with Professor Oleksander (Russia) being awarded all four years with a full scholarship for excellent GPA and Graduating with Honors for being an outstanding student of the generation in the Degree of “Performer Soloist in Orchestral Instrument”. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Mandolin Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass

Normally with very young students I start with the parallel study of written music, basic technique and music learned by imitation. It is a question of repeating short fragments of melody and then composing the whole piece piece by piece. This practice is widely used in many musical traditions and leads the student to develop the ear and the memory, that is the main elements of the musical practice. This practice can be applied to all levels from the most basic to the most advanced. Read More

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

Each student learns at their own pace and it's important to understand that not everybody learns the same. Setting both short and long term goals with the student helps me understand what they want out of lessons. This makes it easier for me to engage with them and bring it back to something relevant to them at the end of the day. For example, no child understands advanced rhythm unless you disguise it in familiar terms e.g. using the phrase "run po-ny run" to describe two eighth notes sandwiched in between to quarter notes. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

My teaching experiences date back to my high school days where I was a teacher assistant to my school's orchestra program. I have had the opportunity to work with students of all skill levels from basic beginners to more intermediate students auditioning for youth orchestras. I have also been teaching privately on and off according to my school schedule. Through my experiences and love for teaching, I am certain that I can provide each student with their own unique and motivating violin experience. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

As a violin instructor going into my fifth year of teaching,I seek to help my students learn to become sensitive and versatile musicians, as well as instilling in them a love of music for the rest of their lives. Having recently earned a bachelor's degree in violin performance from UC Santa Cruz, under the tutelage of the concertmaster of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, I can offer you much knowledge in the way of Galamian bowing technique, effective practice habits, targeted technical exercises, a large library of exercises, etudes and methods to choose from, and guidance in creating musical phrasing and expression. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginning students, we always start with how to hold the instrument, parts of the instrument and string names, and then begin playing open strings. This may take a few lessons. Placing the left hand fingers is usually the last step before playing an A scale and then Twinkle. Setting a foundation is more important than going quickly, so many of my students spend a number of months on Twinkle before starting to move more quickly with Lightly Row. Read More

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