Viola Lessons in Sugar Hill, NY

Instruments: Piano Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Bass Guitar Synthesizer Double Bass Music Keyboard Acoustic Guitar

I have been teaching privately since 1989, teaching piano and bass at 15 years old. Thirty years later I have become a multi-instrumentalist playing Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Electric Bass, Latin Baby Bass, guitar, piano, synthesizer, keyboard and voice. I have a vast knowledge of classical and modern works and am comfortable transcribing modern compositions for my students. Music is my life and I teach with an infections optimism for all things music. Read More

Instruments: Piano Voice Violin Viola Electric Violin

Teaching is my passion and calling, i can't think of doing anything else! In 2013 I graduated from Fairfield University with a triple major in English, Gender Studies, and Violin Performance. While studying at University I started my band with my sister, Verdigrls. We have gone on to put out an EP, play all over the NY metropolitan area as well as have our music featured in movies and television. Teaching for the past six years has given me perspective as to what individual students need. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Music

For Beginning students or kids from 3 years old, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements and also some other theory to help them to read the notes on staff. Once Student slightly progressed, I will begin to start shop pieces with another finger technique etude, to building stronger and solid finger and also I would recommend some music repertories to listen to it, just for building music expression. For the Adult or Teenager, I would like to know what kind of music brings them here, and we can set that piece what they eventually want to play as a goal, and helping student build and practice the technique. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle

As an instructor, its important to me that my students are developing both their skills and their love for music at an equal rate. I do this by assigning exercises and material that will be both rewarding and fun for the student. I also set timely goals so that they have something to look forward to in their next lesson. During my lessons, I also do a lot of mirroring (showing how I play a certain passage with my instrument) so that they can visualize the proper implementation of a passage. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My teaching method combines aspects of the Suzuki method with my own creative exercises and improvisation. I believe that teaching students to invent melodies and rhythms from early in their musical training deepens their ability to hear and perform. I also believe that rhythmic exercises are not emphasized enough in classical instrumental training, and I incorporate such exercises into my own core curriculum. If a student is interested in improvisation, jazz, or pop music, I offer in-depth instruction to performing over chord changes, and other creative violin techniques like playing chords, chopping, and other percussive tools. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

My approach to teaching is to share my love for music with my students. I will allow students to go at their own pace, and set realistic goals and expectations. I like to focus on intonation heavily, as anything other than excellent intonation is not good playing, in the words of a former instructor. I also encourage creative expression in my students, and will often ask them to try different methods of playing a single phrase in order to increase the depth of their musicality. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For beginner students, I like to work on positioning the instrument, proper bow hold, and simple string crossing exercises. A great beginners book is the quick steps to note reading. I believe beginner students should be practicing with this book every day. When they are ready to start learning pieces, I really like to use the Suzuki books. This works for both young beginners and adult beginners. For students who are more advanced, I am adamant about them practicing scales and etudes. Read More