Viola Lessons in Walnut Park, CA

Instruments: Violin Viola Music

I'm a passionate and motivated instructor who loves working with students and sharing my love of music. I maintain an active career as an orchestral, chamber, and freelance musician. In addition to performing regularly as a guest violist at the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and Pacific Symphony, I held a section position in the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and served as principal of the Verbier (Switzerland) and Lake George (New York) Music Festival Orchestras and PRISMA Academy Orchestra (Canada.) As a soloist and an active chamber music artist, I gave a solo viola premier at National Sawdust (Brooklyn, NY), and viola recitals in Manchester Music Festival Winter House Series (Stratton Mountain, VT) Piano on Park (New York), Fordham University Church (Bronx, NY) and Percy Grainger Society (White Plains, NY). Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola

With consistent practice and lessons I’ve had success with having some of my youngest students start with Mozarts twinkle little star and in 2-3 years play at a very high level with skill, artistry and reading abilities in Suzuki books 4/5 Vivaldi Concertos. Students start off with a box violin to focus on posture and ear training right away. Once some of the fine motor skills are established, we transfer these skills directly to the violin, and begin create sound on the instrument. Read More

Instruments: Piano Violin Viola Trumpet Recorder Fiddle

I like to start out beginning string students with Essential Elements 2000 by the Hal Leonard company. They have a complete system which includes professionally recorded accompaniments which provide a model for the student to hear how to play with good intonation, tone and rhythm which are the most important basics. In addition I recommend other sheet music with piano accompaniment or books with CD accompaniments that can be performed for friends and family. Read More

Instruments: Violin Viola Fiddle

I have taught beginning violin using many different methods and books, including but not limited to the Suzuki Method, Essential Elements for Strings, and All For Strings books. However, I have found that the best way to engage students and maintain progress is not to keep too strictly to any one method, but to find what best suits each individual. I also incorporate a mix of transcribed fiddle tunes and/or popular music pieces to provide variety and keep the material fun! 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: Viola

For beginning students I like to begin with learning scales, becoming aware of the circle of fifths, introducing different types of bow strokes, bow control, and other essentials along with simple Suzuki book solo pieces. Once the student has progressed a little further, I will introduce more difficult solo repertoire that I feel will help the students techniques while also showcasing their abilities. For adults, I will try to find out what music the student is interested in and work with them in that way, in order to keep them engaged and enjoy playing music! Read More

Instruments: Piano Guitar Violin Cello Viola Trumpet Trombone Saxophone Flute Clarinet Recorder Fiddle French Horn Piccolo Oboe

My approach to learning an instruments is to have the students learn to play by ear first before they can start learning to read music. I find that most students are able to progress quickly because it frees them to focus on the playing the instruments rather than reading notes. I consider reading music like different subject that they learn later. Learning music is like learning to speak. First we learn to talk and then we learn to read and write. Read More