Viola Lessons in Thonotosassa, FL

Instruments: Violin Viola Electric Violin

For students beginning within the context of a school orchestra program, I prefer to begin within the pedagogical book of choice of the school program (e.g. Hal Leonard's Essential Elements) before branching out into other methods and repertoire such as the Suzuki school. For intermediate and adult students, I try to adapt repertoire and activity selection to his or her own interests, and find a balance between addressing important technique learning tasks and music that keeps the student excited and engaged. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola

As a strong advocate of new music, I have actively participated in numerous student composer concerts that have presented new and viable works from USF's esteemed composition program. I have also participated in the Apple Hill Chamber Music Festival (2012 and 2013) and the annual Tennessee Cello Workshop (2009). I was the principal cellist of the 2009 National Philharmonic Summer String Institute under the direction of maestro Piotr Gajewski and I was recently the Assistant Principal of the University of South Florida Symphony Orchestra. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

So many students are encouraged to learn before they really have their own grasp of what music is to them. Getting in touch with the inner musician is important early on to allow development of the passion over time. It is very important to me to make music fun while also emphasizing it's rewards. I love to see students grow and I love to encourage whatever path that it follows. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Cello Viola Electric Violin Fiddle Double Bass

I believe each student is different. Therefor, lessons should differ depending on each students particular needs, taste in music, and age. I would never treat an adult student like I would a young student and vice versa. I always try to set weekly goals with each of my students in order for them to have something to work towards on a consistent basis. If my students don't reach their weekly goal I simply have a little bit of a review with them in the beginning of the lesson and then proceed with that weeks work. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola

I use multiples methods. One of them is the Susuki method. I consider that is a good method for beginners with a lot of techniques exercises and also includes pieces. For me it is essential that a student learn first all the techniques exercises and then start to create music. After that I started to teach how to respect the essential aspects in a piece: the fingering, the bowing, the dynamics, the tempo and others. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

It is extremely important to me that every student benefits from his or her own personally tailored lesson. This means that there is no "cut and paste" lesson plan to use with each student. Once I get to know the student, I will be able to judge their level of playing ability, their ability to read music, how good their posture is, how good their hand position is, etc. It is also important to me to get to know the student's personality, so that when teaching, I can help make the student feel as comfortable as possible during the lesson. Read More

Instruments: Guitar Voice Violin Cello Viola Fiddle Double Bass Music Classical Guitar Acoustic Guitar

When I finally signed up for professional guitar lessons, I found that there were not just many things to learn, but many things to unlearn. I went back to school to study music at Florida Southern College in Lakeland Florida where I learned Voice and String Pedagogy. After graduating, I taught in the public school system for several years and left to establish my own private studio where I had almost 30 students at one time. Read More