Viola Lessons in Villa Park, CA

Instruments: Violin Cello Viola Double Bass

I was assistant principal cellist of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra for 15 years from 1987 to 2002. I was an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Mississippi in Oxford from 1988 and 1998. After 1998, I teach cello at the prestigious Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. I was also the Music Director and Conductor of the Mississippi Youth Symphony Orchestra for 9 years. During that time, I led the youth group on inaugural overseas concert tours to stages in Europe and China, reaching their highest level and largest audiences to the date. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

For young students, I use a Suzuki Method hybrid, meaning I incorporate additional note-reading and music theory elements while using the Suzuki Violin books and Suzuki's core values of imitation and ear training. I also supplement with many pieces outside of the Suzuki Method, including folk, blues, fiddle, and other styles. As students progress I include traditional etudes, technique studies and scales. My ultimate goal is to give my students all the tools they need to play and learn pieces on their own, and to that end I ensure they fully comprehend and master each step of learning before introducing new concepts. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle

I began my work as a teacher in college at UCLA and at Cazadero Music Camp in Northern California, both as a private instructor and group instructor in violin and viola. After 10 years of classical study and performance I decided to pursue a degree in Ethnomusicology, and direct my studies specifically toward American folk fiddling. While studying under fiddler Richard Greene, I discovered a love for playing and passing down folk music in the oral tradition, and saw the benefits of a multi-genre musical education first hand. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

In addition to private studio teaching, both in-person and remote for 6 years, my teaching experience comes from being as an Adjunct Faculty in violin and viola for non-music majors at New York University, the orchestral viola coach at Mannes Prep Precollege Division, director of Chamber Music and violin/viola faculty at Thurnauer School of Music. My students at younger ages have passed auditions of prestigious music pre-college programs as well as school-region youth orchestra programs; college-age students have won scholarships at their colleges for music minors and double-majors. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

I teach a combination of Suzuki and traditional methods. I grew up as a Suzuki student, but in my professional teaching life have learned to add additional methods into lessons to supplement training. For young, beginner students, I start them off with a method book like "All for Strings," which teaches first by rote. Not long after the students achieve the basic skills of the violin, we incorporate the Suzuki method and note reading. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Electric Violin

Teaching is my passion. I started playing the violin at the age of 6 years old. Music gave me confidence in school and in my life. When I was in elementary school I found out that reading comprehension was difficult for me and so I had to get tutoring. I was very strong in music and that boosted my confidence in school. I have a lot of patience because of this but I also have high standards because I know what my students are capable of doing. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Trumpet Recorder Fiddle

I have an expertise in fiddling and have performed with bluegrass bands since being in high school. I also have a history of performing mariachi music with the famous band Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan. I enjoy teaching this to my students as well as American music with the method books of Mark O'Connor with whom I have worked on several occasions. Learning these styles if fun! I have also taught piano at the elementary and intermediate levels as well at the Piano Place Music and Arts Center in Westminster. Read More